It needed only this to convey quick intelligence to the mother's bewildered thoughts. The transition from Tincroft to Sarah and from Sarah to Walter was natural enough, no doubt.
"And 'tis Walter come back again!" she cried, shrilly, as she hastily rose, to be saved from falling only by the intervention of Elizabeth's stout arm.
"'Tis Walter, sure enough!" said the old farmer.
And there was a grasping of hands and a general embracing, for the over-surprised and startled mother soon returned to her normal condition.
"And where in the world have you been all these years, Walter?" demanded Matthew, when the confusion had a little subsided.
"And why haven't you written home all this time, my boy?" said Mrs. Matthew, plaintively.
"And how ill you look, Walter," said softened Elizabeth; "and you are ill, too, aren't you?"
"I'll tell you all about it, father, mother, sister," said Walter, feebly, "if you will give me a moment to rest in."
"And a chair," thought John, placing one in position. And then he added, inwardly, "I think I am not wanted here any longer. Walter will settle down more comfortably without my help. And though these family transports are very touching to all concerned, they are carried on better, I daresay, in the absence of outsiders."
And so, with commendable consideration, Tincroft quietly withdrew himself from the kitchen at Low Beech. We shall imitate his example, and accompany him on his way to the Manor House, where he felt sure of a hospitable welcome from Mr. Richard Grigson, in the character of an uninvited guest.