m how she'd forgotten Cherry's seed, and all about it. "And
oh, sir," she said, and her voice began to tremble, "Mamsie'll be so
frightened if I don't get there soon!"

"I'm going up there myself, so that it all happens very nicely," said
the gentleman, commencing to start off briskly, and grasping her hand
tighter. "Now, then, Polly."

So off they went at a very fast pace; she, skipping through the puddles
that his long, even strides carried him safely over, chattered away
by his side under the umbrella, and answered his many questions, and
altogether got so very well acquainted that by the time they turned in
at the old stone gateway, she felt as if she had known him for years.

And there, the first thing they either of them saw, down in a little
corner back of the tall evergreens, was a small heap that rose as they
splashed up the carriage-drive, and resolved itself into a very red
dress and a very white apron, as it rushed impulsively up and flung
itself into Polly's wet arms:

"And I was so tired waiting, Polly!"

"Oh dear me, Phronsie!" cried Polly, huddling her up from the dark, wet
ground. "You'll catch your death! What will mamsie say!"

The stranger, amazed at this new stage of the proceedings, was vainly
trying to hold the umbrella over both, till the procession could move on
again.

"Oh!" cried Phronsie, shaking her yellow head decidedly, "they're all
looking for you, Polly." She pointed one finger solemnly up to the big
carved door as she spoke. At that Polly gathered her up close and began
to walk with rapid footsteps up the path.

"Do let me carry you, little girl," said Polly's kind friend
persuasively, bending down to the little face on Polly's neck.

"Oh, no, no, no!" said Phronsie, at each syllable grasping Polly around
the throat in perfect terror, and waving him off with a very crumpled,
mangy bit of paper, that had already done duty to wipe off the copious
tears during her anxious watch. "Don't let him, Polly, don't!"

"There sha'n't anything hurt you," said Polly, kissing her reassuringly,
and stepping briskly off with her burden, just as the door burst open,
and Joel flew out on the veranda steps, followed by the rest of the
troop in the greatest state of excitement.

"Oh, whickety! she's come!" he shouted, springing up to her over the
puddles, and crowding under the umbrella. "Where'd you get Phronsie?" he
asked, standing quite still at sight of the little feet tucked up to get
out