What's come over the old crittur?
He must a' got religion in his old' age; but if grace made him do _that_, grace has done a tough job, that's all; but it's done anyhow! and that's all you need to care about.

Wal, wal, I must git along hum--Mariar Jane'll be wonderin' where I be.

Good night, all on ye!" and Biah's retreating wagon wheels were off in the distance, rattling furiously, for, notwithstanding Maria Jane's wondering, Biah was resolved not to let an hour slip by without declaring the wonderful tidings at the store.
The Pitkin family were seated at supper in the big kitchen, all jubilant over the recent news.

The father, radiant with the pleasantest excitement, had for the first time come out to take his place at the family board.

In the seven years since the beginning of our story the Pitkin boys had been growing apace, and now surrounded the table quite an army of rosy-cheeked, jolly young fellows, who to-night were in a perfect tumult of animal gaiety.