"Ahem!" said Mr. Jason Day. "An' he proberbly won't say that many more times, Almiry. So make the most of it."
"Yes," Janice said softly. "Marty's growing up."
At this the youth grew red in the face and bit his lip. But then he straightened up boldly, as if he were a soldier.
"Huh! speak for yourself, Janice Day. You've grown up, you have! You ought to have seen all those greaser army officers dancin' around after her," and he cast a teasing glance at Nelson.
"You can't bother me, young man," replied the schoolmaster, smiling broadly.
"I guess I'm the only one to be bothered at all by our Janice's growing up," her father said a little seriously. "Just as I have her again I seem next door to losing her."
Janice got up, crossed the room, and kissed him; but her glance was warm for Nelson as she did so.
The muffled tones of the old grandfather's clock in the hall clashed the hour of ten. Uncle Jason reached down The Book from the corner of the mantelpiece and opened it, reading that night the story of the happiness of another family whose brother came back from the grave.
THE END
Transcriber's notes: