“Father!”
Then Mr. Thatcher, who had been patiently waiting for Tom to break the news to his wife, entered. Instantly he was clasped in the arms of his wife.
The shock and surprise were so great that Mrs. Thatcher came near fainting away, but joy is seldom dangerous, and she soon recovered.
“Mother,” said Tom, after a brief space, “there are reasons why we do not want father’s return made known in the village just at present. Do you think Tillie will recognize him?”
“No; she was very young when her father went away.”
“Then call him by a different name in her presence, so she may not suspect the truth.”
“You may call me Johnson,” said Mr. Thatcher. “I had a friend of that name in California. It will do as well as any other.”
“I will try to hide the secret, but I fear my face will betray it.”
“People will think you are excited by Tom’s return,” said her husband.
“How thankful I ought to be!” said Mrs. Thatcher. “I thought myself almost alone in the world, and to-night has brought me back two dear ones. I am twice blessed!”