But the other servants had come flocking to the veranda as the news of
the arrival passed from lip to lip; and now they crowded about Lester and
Elsie eager to shake their hands and bid them welcome home again,
mingling with their rejoicings and congratulations many inquiries about
their loved mistress--her mother--and the other absent members of the
family.
And here, as at Fairview, Evelyn received her full share of pleased
attention.
Elsie delivered her mother's messages and directions, and taking Evelyn
with her, went through the house to see that all was in order for the
reception of her brother and his wife, then sat down in the veranda for a
chat with "mammy" before returning to Fairview.
"Mammy, dear," she said interrogatively, "you are not grieving very much
for Uncle Joe?"
"No, chile, no; he's in dat bressed land whar dah no mo' misery in de
back, in de head, in any part ob de body; an' no mo' sin, no mo' sorrow,
no mo' dyin', no mo' tears fallin' down the cheeks, no mo' trouble any
kin'."
"But don't you miss him very much, Aunt Chloe?" asked Evelyn softly, her
voice tremulous with the thought of her own beloved dead, and how sorely
she felt his absence.
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