“I hope she won’t talk in Latin,” exclaimed Hattie.
“Oh, it is nice to think of seeing Prissie so soon,” murmured Katie in an ecstasy.
“I wonder,” began Rose in her practical voice, “how soon Prissie will begin to earn money. We want money even more than when she went away. Aunt Raby isn’t as well as she was then, and since the cows were sold—”
“Hush!” said Hattie. “You know we promised we wouldn’t tell Prissie about the cows.”
Just then a distant sound of wheels was heard. The little girls began to jump and shout; a moment later and Priscilla stood in the midst of her family. A great excitement followed her arrival. There were kisses and hugs, and wild, rapturous words from the affectionate little sisters. Aunt Raby put her arms round Priscilla, and gave her a solemn sort of kiss, and then the whole party adjourned into the supper-room.
The feast which was spread was so dainty and abundant that Katie asked in a puzzled sort of way if Aunt Raby considered Prissie like the Prodigal Son.
“What fancies you have, child!” said Aunt Raby. “The Prodigal Son, indeed! Thank Heaven, I’ve never had to do with that sort! As to Priscilla here, she’s as steady as Old Time. Well, child, and are you getting up your learning very fast?”
“Pretty well, Aunt Raby.”
“And you like your grand college, and all those fine young-lady friends of yours?”
“I haven’t any fine young-lady friends.”