"Last spring! then what kept you so long?"
"Because of the arrival of eyes that I was afraid of. I dared not make the least move that would show I could move. I came off the very first packet after I was free."
"How glad you must be!" said Fleda.
"Glad!"
"Glad of what, Mamma?" said Rolf,. whose dreams the entrance of Barby had probably disturbed.
"Glad of bread and butter," said his mother; wake up here it is."
The young gentleman declared, rubbing his eyes, that he did not want it now; but, however, Fleda contrived to dispel that illusion, and bread and butter was found to have the same dulcifying properties at Queechy that it owns in all the rest of the world. Little Rolf was completely mollified after a hearty meal, and was put with his mother to enjoy most unbroken slumbers in Fleda's room. Fleda herself, after a look at Hugh, crept to her aunt's bed; whither Barby very soon despatched Mrs. Rossitur, taking in her place the arm-chair and the watch with most invincible good-will and determination; and sleep at last took the joys and sorrows of that disturbed household into its kind custody.
Fleda was the first one awake, and was thinking how she should break the last news to her aunt, when Mrs. Rossitur put her arms round her, and, after a most affectionate look and kiss, spoke to what she supposed had been her niece's purpose.
"You want taking care of more than I do, poor Fleda!"
"It was not for that I came," said Fleda; "I had to give up my room to the travellers."