His brothers were bursting with utterance about to break forth, and his father suddenly wore a look that recalled to Jean critical times of days long past.

But the entrance of the children and the women folk put an end to confidences.

Evidently the youngsters were laboring under subdued excitement.

They preceded their mother, the smallest boy in the lead.
For him this must have been both a dreadful and a wonderful experience, for he seemed to be pushed forward by his sister and brother and mother, and driven by yearnings of his own.

"There now, Lee.