"And this is our little Mary-'Gusta come back again! It don't seem as if it could be, somehow." "But it is, Uncle Zoeth," declared Mary, laughing.

"And ISN'T it good to be here! Well, Isaiah," turning to Mr.Chase, who, aproned and shirtsleeved as usual, had been standing grinning in the background, "haven't you anything to say to me ?" Isaiah had something to say and he said it.
"Glad to see you," he announced.

"Feelin' pretty smart?
Got a new hat, ain't you?
Supper's ready." During the meal Mary was kept busy answering questions concerning school and her life at Mrs.Wyeth's.

In her letters she had endeavored to tell every possible item of news which might be interesting to her uncles, but now these items were one by one recalled, reviewed, and discussed.
"'Twas kind of funny, that young Smith feller's turnin' up for dinner that time," observed Mr.Hamilton.

"Cal'late you was some surprised to see him, wan't you ?" Mary smiled.