The man who met them at the door was so surprised and delighted to see Fly, that he forgot his manners, and did not ask Mrs. Brooks in.
"Bless us, the baby's found!" cried he, and ran to spread the news.
Aunt Madge was walking the parlor floor, and Horace sitting on the sofa, as rigid as the marble elf Puck, just over his head. Prudy and Dotty had joined hands, and were crying softly on the rug. As the police had been notified of Fly's loss, all the family had to do was to wait. A servant was at the nearest telegraph office, with a horse and carriage, and at the first tidings would drive home and report.
The words "The baby's found" rang through the house like a peal of bells. In an instant Flyaway Runaway was clasped in everybody's arms, and wet with everybody's tears.
"Thought I'd come back," said the little truant, peeping up at her agitated friends' with some surprise; "thought I'd come back and get my skipt!"
Then they exclaimed, in chorus,—
"Topknot shall have her skipt! The blessed baby! The darling old Fly!"
And Dotty wound up by saying,—
"Why, you see, we thought you's dead!"
Flyaway, who had at first been very much astonished at the fuss made over her, now looked deeply offended.