"But she is coming," said little Lee. "We had a message from grandpa, and he is to bring her."
"Then I will tell the others, and we will all come to welcome her," I said.
With a great joy in my heart I hastened onward to my father's house. I found them awaiting me, full of joyful expectation.
"Yes, we also have had word," my father said, "and were only awaiting your return, that we might go together."
"Then I will go for brother Frank, that he also may accompany us," I said.
"He is here!" said a genial voice; and, looking up, I saw him at the door.
"Col. Sprague is always present when he is needed," said my father cordially.
So we set forth, a goodly company, to welcome this dearly loved one to her home—my father, my mother, and my sister Jodie; my brother the doctor, and his two fair daughters; my Aunt Gray, her son Martin, and his wife and daughter; my brother Frank and I.
As we approached the house we heard the sound of joyous voices, and looking in, we saw my sister standing in the room, her husband's arm about her, and the happy grandchildren thronged around them, like humming-birds among the flowers. But what was this? Could this radiant creature, with smooth brow and happy eyes, be the pale, wan woman I had last seen, so bowed with suffering and sorrow? I looked with eager eyes. Yes, it was my sister; but as she was full thirty years ago, with the bloom of health upon her face, and the light of youth in her tender eyes. I drew back into the shadow of the vines and let the others precede me, for my heart was full of a strange, triumphant joy. This truly was the "victory over death" so surely promised by our risen Lord. I watched the happy greetings, and the way she took each beloved one into her tender arms. When, one by one, she had greeted and embraced them all, I saw her, with a strange yearning at my heart, turn and look wistfully around, then whisper to my father:
"Is not my little sister here?"