"Now run into the house and tell Jane to get tea ready as quickly as she can," said. Mrs. Willis. "And this is my nephew and god-son Willie. But how lame he is, poor little fellow!"
"He is not always so lame," said Mrs. Lee. "But we have had a long and hard walk and he is almost tired to death. I am afraid he will not be able to stir to-morrow."
"I did not expect you till next week, at the earliest," said Mrs. Willis. "But how do you come to arrive at this time of day? The train has been in for two hours."
"I will tell you all about it, presently," replied Mrs. Lee. "Just now I am anxious to find a resting-place for Willie, who, I fear, is suffering very much from his knee."
"It does ache!" said poor Willie. "It always hurts me to go up-hill."
"Well, you shall soon rest it, my dear boy," said Mrs. Willis. "Where are your trunks, Mary?"
"They will be here to-morrow, I suppose," replied her sister. "They were left behind by some mistake, but I have telegraphed and heard that they are safe and on the way. I must keep out of sight till they come, for between dust and the long journey I look more like a beggar than a lady."
The travellers were soon washed and brushed and sat down to a bountiful meal.
"And now tell me how you came here at this time in the evening?" said Mrs. Willis.
"The matter is easily enough explained," replied Mrs. Lee. "We sailed a week sooner than we expected and had an uncommonly short voyage. We came directly on from Boston, and arrived on the train at four o'clock."