She kept open house that night, for the old observances were dear to her ever-young heart.

I walked right into her kitchen, and she met me with a cry of amazement and delight, and every wrinkle in the weather-browned face creased into a smile.
"Why, Phil, mon gars! Is it possible ?" she cried.

"You are welcome as one from the dead.

Though, ma fe, I hoped all along, as your mother did.

And, my good! what a big fellow it is! And not bad-looking either! I used to think you'd grow up square.