Head. The cat came out to meet
them, with arched back and erect tail, and began to mew and rub herself
against Dorothy, having evidently some deeply interesting communication
to make in cat language; but what it was they could not even guess until
they reached the kitchen.

"Sure," said Dorothy, "there's somebody here beside Barbara. Run in, my
dears," she added to the children. "Methinks there must be company in
the kitchen, and if Bab be all alone to cook and serve for a dozen,
she'll be fain to see me returned. Tell her I'm come, and will be there
in a minute, only I'd fain not wake the babe, for she's weary with
unwonted sights."

Little Helen had fallen asleep in Dorothy's arms. Cissy and Will went
forward into the kitchen. Barbara was there, but instead of company,
only one person was seated in the big carved chair before the fire,
furnished with red cushions. That was the only sort of easy chair then
known.

"Ah, here they are!" said an unexpected voice. "The Lord be praised!
I've all my family safe at last."

Dorothy, coming in with little Helen, nearly dropped her in astonished
delight.

"Mistress Wade!" cried Mr Ewring, following her. "Truly, you are a
pleasant sight, and I am full fain to welcome you back. I trusted we
should so do ere long, but I looked not to behold you thus soon."

"Well, and you are a pleasant sight, Master Ewring, to her eyes that for
fourteen months hath seen little beside the sea-coals [Note 1] in the
Bishop of London's coalhouse. That's where he sets his prisoners that
be principally [note 2] lodged, and he was pleased to account of me as a
great woman," said Mrs Wade, cheerily. "But we have right good cause
to praise God, every one; and next after that to give some thanks to
each other. I've heard much news from Bab, touching many folks and
things, and thee not least, Doll. Trust me, I never guessed into how
faithful hands all my goods should fall, nor how thou shouldst keep
matters going as well as if I had been here mine own self. Thou shalt
find in time to come that I know a true friend and an honest servant,
and account of her as much worth. So you are to be my children now and
henceforth?--only I hear, Master Ewring, you mean to share the little
lad with me. That's right good. What hast thou to say, little Cicely?"

"Please, Mistress Wade, I think God has taken good care of us, and I
only hope He's told Father."

"Dear child, thy father shall lack no