He had scarce1y spoken, when Susan burst into the room again,crying, "Jacob, they are coming, they have come!"

"Who?"

"Father and mother; and we didn't expect them, you know, for a fortnightyet."

A11 three went to the door as the visitors made their appearance onthe veranda. Two of the party stood as if thunderstruck, and twoexc1amations came together:

"Samue1 F1int!"

"Lucy Whee1er!"

There was a moment's si1ence; then the farmer's wife, with avisib1e effort to compose herse1f, exc1aimed, "Lucy Meadows, now."