declar', it's a plum sight."

"That bin a heap got up for 'em, seems like," said Molly Hollister,
smiling at the nearest apple-tree as if it were a particular friend.
"Fust off, they're dead in love with each other, an' we uns all knows how
that makes people feel--even in the dead o' winter, an' when they ain't a
penny in their pockets; they're as good-hearted as they kin be--an' es
hansum'--an' they're rich, an' they was married this mornin', an' they're
comin' home with Tom D'Willerby to a place an' folks that loves 'em--an'
the very country an' the things that grows seems as if they was dressed
out for a weddin'. An' it's Sheba as Tom took me to look at lyin' in her
little old wooden cradle in the room behind the store."

She laughed, as she said it, a little hysteric laugh, with suddenly moist
eyes. She was an emotional creature.

The road had been watched steadily for many hours before any arrival could
have been legitimately expected. It gave restless interest--something to
do. At noon one of Molly Hollister's boys came running breathlessly up the
road, waving his hat.

"They're a-comin'!" he shouted. "They're a-comin'! They're in a fine
carriage."

"Let Tom D'Willerby alone for havin' the finest team in Hamlin," said Mr.
Doty, with a neighbourly grin.

Almost immediately the carriage was to be seen. The horses lifted their
feet high, and stepped at a pace which was felt worthy of the occasion.
Uncle Matt drove. Rupert and Sheba sat side by side. They looked very
young and beautiful, and rather shy. They had only been married a few
hours, and were bewildered by the new radiance of things. Big Tom
humanely endeavoured not to look at them, but found it difficult to avert
his eyes for any length of time. There was that about them which drew his
gaze back in spite of himself.

"That's old Tom!" he heard familiar voices proclaim, as they drew near
the Post-office. "Howdy, Tom! Howdy, Sheby! Wish ye much joy! Wish ye
much joy!"

Then the horses stopped, and the crowd of long-known faces surged near
and were all about the carriage. The clamour of the greeting voices, the
grasping of one hand after another seemed to Sheba and Rupert like
something happening in a dream. They were too far away from earth to feel
it real just now, though it was part of the happiness of things--like the
sunshine and the soft wind and the look in Tom's eyes, when, amid
hand-shakes and congratulations, and welcoming laughter, he himsel