"I know; and what a comfort it is!" said Mildred; "what joy in the thought that we shall all meet at last in that blessed land, never to part again, and to be forever with the Lord!"
From that day Flora seemed a changed girl, ready to talk and to take an interest in those about her, to appreciate and respond to their efforts to entertain her, and particularly demonstrative and affectionate toward Mildred.
Chapter Fourteenth.
THE RETURN
"Joy never feasts so high
As when the first course is of misery."
—Suckling.
On a pleasant October day the three families—including Miss Weston—were gathered at Mr. Keith's for a family tea-party; no very unusual occurrence.
The railroad had recently reached Pleasant Plains, and a few minutes before the call to tea the whistle of the afternoon train from the West had been heard.
They had but just seated themselves about the table, and Mr. Keith had asked a blessing on the food, when the door opened, and a stranger entered unannounced.