lly, I ran ahead, and found the engineer of the
night express, the first train in the block, fighting mad, and vowing
that he would plough his way through the freight train, if they didn't
get it out of the road in five minutes. A lot of us took hold in good
earnest, and in ten minutes the track was free. Then the express driver
found that his fireman was hurt,--I forgot him! He was really the only
one,--and he was madder than ever, and said he could not go on without a
fireman. So I said I was his fireman, and his long-lost uncle besides;
and I jumped on, and off we went. It was an exhilarating ride. We were
an hour late, and we made up half of it; but that did not let me make my
connections. Finally, here am I; the question is, are you glad to see
me, or shall I go back?"

Well, there seemed little doubt that they were glad to see him. It
seemed to Hildegarde, still sitting in her corner, with Hugh's hand in
hers, as if the other children would fairly devour him; and the elders
were not much better. Miles must hear all about the mines, and piled
question upon question till his brother cried for mercy. Will and Kitty
hung about his neck, Bell and Gertrude could hardly take their eyes off
him. Only Gerald, after the first moment, came and sat by Hildegarde,
and asked if he should not take Hugh, and if she did not want to go and
join the others.

"No!" cried Hildegarde. "Go yourself, Jerry, and hear all about it. I--I
shall hear it all another time."

"I met him, you see!" said Gerald, guiltily. "I heard it all as--as we
came from the other house. We came along together, and then he--he got
ahead of me somehow, and came in first."

Hildegarde heard him, but only half understood what he said. Now,
however, there came a change in the boy's voice, and he rose hastily.

"I--I think I will go, Hilda, if you really don't mind,--if you will
excuse me. I think Phil wants me for something--"

He vanished, and Hildegarde turned to find Roger at her elbow.

"I have a little gift for you," he was saying. "I--I won't give it to
you to-night, I think, but bring it to-morrow, if I may. It is something
I made myself, and I am rather proud of it. May I come to-morrow
morning? Oh, it is good to be at home again! Good to see what one has
been dreaming about for all these--"

"Supper! supper!" cried the Colonel, rubbing his hands. "Come, young
folks! the tree is stripped, and now for an honest, old-fashioned
supper. None of your ki