"Beans," said the boy in a sepulchral tone. "An' say! I've busted your bean-pot. Don't you dast give me pork an' beans for a year come next Christmas."
They laughed. It was easy to laugh now—for all the party. Humor did not have to be of a high order to bring the smiles to their lips, for a deep and abiding happiness dwelt in all their hearts.
Mr. Broxton Day looked around the old and well-remembered sitting room. "It looks about the same as it did when I was a boy, Jase," he said.
"Yep. Almiry's kep' things about as when ma was with us."
"Almira is a wonderful woman," said Broxton Day, smiling across at his sister-in-law.
"You be still, Brocky Day," said Aunt 'Mira, bridling.
"Yes," he told her gravely. "For you've kept the spirit of the old home alive here, too."
"She and Janice," said Marty.
"Dunno what we would do without Janice," Aunt 'Mira said, quick to turn the compliment.
"Ain't it so?" echoed Uncle Jason. "And you comin' hum—right back from the grave as ye might say, Broxton—is more'n a delight to us. It's a blessin'. What you tell me about that—that derned Tom Hotchkiss——"