Nay, there was no eye shaded, there was no voice untuned for the glad music of that time.
"Well it's worth going away, to come back again, ain't it ?" said Mr.Landholm, when they were gathered round the fire that first evening.
"No," said his wife.
"Well, I didn't think so last winter," said the father of the family, drawing his broad hand over his eyes.
"I can tell you, _I_ have thought so this great while," said Rufus.

"It's -- it's seven or eight months now since I have been home." "Papa," said little Winifred, squeezing in and climbing up on her father's knees, -- "we have wanted you every night." "You did!" said her father, bending his face conveniently down to her golden curls; -- "and what did you do by day ?" "O we wanted you; but then you know we were so busy in the day-time." "Busy!" said her father, -- "I guess _you_ were busy!" She made herself busy then, for putting both arms round his neck she pressed and kissed his face, till feeling grew too excited with the indulgence of it, and she lay with her head quite still upon his shoulder where nobody could see her eyes.
The father's eyes told tales.
"I think Winifred has forgotten me," observed Rufus.
But Winifred was in no condition to answer the charge.
"Winifred doesn't forget anybody," said her father fondly.
"We're none of us given to forgetting.

I am thankful that we have one thing that some richer folks want -- we all love one another.

Winifred, -- I thought you were going to shew me that black kitten o' your'n ?" "I haven't any kitten, papa, -- it is Asahel's." "Well, let Asahel bring it then." Which Asahel did.
"Have you looked at the cattle, Mr.Landholm ?" said his wife.
"No -- not yet -- this is the first specimen of live stock I've seen," said Mr.Landholm, viewing attentively a little black kitten which was sprawling very uncomfortably upon the painted floor.

"I've heard of 'em though.