In the midst of their merry feast the sound of wheels was heard and a rig from the station drove up. Out of it stepped a venerable old gentleman in a well-fitting dark suit, with well blackened shoes and an altogether neat and prosperous appearance.
Peggy and Jess who had run to the window at the sound of wheels saw him assisted to the ground by a younger man whom they both recognized with a cry of astonishment.
“Mr. Jim Bell. But who is the old gentleman?”
“Why it’s—it’s the hermit!” cried Roy.
“Good gracious, is that fashionable looking old man a hermit?” gasped Jimsy.
“He was, I guess, but he won’t be any more,” laughed Peggy, happily, as she tripped to the door to welcome the visitors. The Prescotts had a maid now; but Peggy preferred to be the first to greet the newly united brothers for it was evident that Jim Bell’s quest had been successful.
What greetings there were to be sure, when the two brothers were inside the cool, shady house! The old hermit’s eyes gleamed delightedly as he gallantly handed Miss Prescott to a chair. As for Jim Bell, he was happy enough to “dance a jig,” he said.
“I’ll play for you, sir,” volunteered Jimsy, going toward the piano.
“No, no,” laughed Jim Bell; “I’m too old for that now. But not too old for Peter and I to have many happy days together yet, eh, Peter?”
He turned tenderly toward the old man whose eyes grew dim and moist.