Anne tip-toed up to her brother, at his request, and put up her sweet lips to his.
"And how has my little sister been all these months?" he asked, patting her on the cheek.
"Very well, John; I hope you have been a good boy," she answered.
"Sister wouldn't expect anything else of me, would she?" he asked, kissing her again.
"Oh, no, indeed, John," she replied, with wide eyes.
"And have you been good?" he asked.
"Very, John," she responded.
"No beaus yet, I hope?" he asked, in his teasing way he always had with her.
"Why, no, John!" and she blushed, not that she had a beau, but through maiden coyness. "You are the only one I've got, John."
Supper was then announced. James, who brought John from town, came in after putting away the horses. And they all sat down in happy reunion once more. For John was home.