"When he's less tired he'll be able to bear the
disappointment better." She knew that if he missed his flowers one of his
chief pleasures in his homecoming would be gone, and she almost dreaded to
hear the sound of his footsteps because of the disappointment in store for
him. Because she could not bear to see it, she stayed in the kitchen,
and only Mona went out to meet him. Lucy heard his loved voice, hoarse
and tired, but cheerful still. "Hullo, my girl!" he cried, "how's mother,
and how 'ave 'ee got on? I was 'fraid she'd be troubling. Hullo! Why,
what's happened to our wallflowers?"

At the sound of the dismay in his voice, Lucy had to go out. "Poor Mona,"
she thought, "it's hard on her! Why, father!" she cried brightly,
standing in the doorway with a glad face and happy welcome. "We're so
glad to see you at last. Make haste in, you must be tired to death, and
cold through and through. Mona's got everything ready for you, as nice as
can be. She's worked hard since we heard the boats were come. We've all
got good appetites for our breakfast, I guess."

Then, in his pleasure at seeing his wife and child again, Peter Carne
forgot all about his flowers. Putting his arms around them both, he gave
them each a hearty kiss, and all went in together. "I ain't hardly fit
to," he said, laughing, "but you're looking as fresh and sweet as two
daisies this morning."

Diving his hand deep into his pocket, he drew out a handful of gold and
silver. "Here, mother, here's something you'll be glad of! Now, Mona, my
girl," as he dropped into his arm-chair, "where's my old slippers?"

Mona picked them up from the fender, where they had been warming, and,
kneeling down, she pulled off his heavy boots. Once more she was filled
with the feeling that if she could only do something to make up for the
harm she had done she would not feel so bad.

"Thank'ee, little maid. Oh, it's good to be home again!" He leaned back
and stretched his tired limbs with a sigh of deep content. "But I mustn't
stop here, I must go and have a wash, and change into dry things before I
have my breakfast. I can tell you, I'm more than a bit hungry. When I've
had it I've got to go down and clean out the boat."

"Oh, not till you've had a few hours' sleep," coaxed Lucy. "You must have
some rest, father. I've a good mind to turn the key on you."

Her husband laughed too. "There's no need for locks and keys to-day,"
he said, ruefully. "I