As he walked slowly up the street toward the center of the sleeping village, the odor of ripe grain and the familiar smell of poplar and maple trees went to his heart.

His blood leaped with remembered joys.

Under such trees, in the midst of such fragrance, he had once walked with his sister and with Jack.

His heart swelled with the thought of the Burns' farm, and the hearty greeting they would give him could he but ride up to the door.
And Mary! How would she seem to him now?
Four years was a long time at that period of a girl's life, but he was certain he would recognize her.
He had not written to her of his coming, for he wished to announce himself.

There were elements of adventure and surprise in the plan which pleased him.