Eddy brought the Bible and singing books; but the reading had not commenced when the sound of some one pushing open the barn door startled them.
"There's Dick?" cried Eddy.
"No, dear! We should have heard the bells."
Mr. Stuart, however, took the lantern down from its appropriate shelf, lighted it and prepared to assist his son.
"I've got home, father," called out Richard in a cheerful voice.
"Are you very wet? We have been quite anxious about you. How? Why? Where did you borrow this buffalo robe?"
Dick laughed merrily. "I'll tell you all about it, sir, when we go into the house."
"You'd better go in alone. I'll unharness, and put the horse up. The feed is all ready in his crib."
"Old Charley has done splendidly. He's been well fed too. I saw to it myself, and stood by till he had eaten his oats clean. Mr. Pond told me the tricks of the stable men. Now I'll run in with some of my bundles."
Once, twice, he ran with a load to the back kitchen seeing no one. Then perceiving that his father was ready, he said: