"I think it's a shame."

Percy only laughed. He and Prudy were sitting in the doorway, arranging
bouquets for the dinner-table. Susy joined them, bearing in her hands
some dahlias and tuberoses.

"Why, Prudy," said she, "what makes your face all aflame?"

"She has been fighting for your little dove of a sister," replied Percy;
"the one that went West to finish her education."

This speech only deepened the color in Prudy's face, though she tried
hard to subdue her anger, and closed her lips with the firm resolve not
to open them again till she could speak pleasantly.

"Look!" exclaimed Percy; "there's a carriage turning the corner. Why,
it's Dimple herself and uncle Edward!"

"It can't be!"

"It is!"

Both little girls ran to the gate.

"O, father! O, Dotty! Why, when did you get home?"

By this time Mrs. Parlin had come out: also Mrs. Eastman and Johnny.
Everybody was as surprised and delighted as possible; and even Miss
Dimple, sitting in state in the coach, was perfectly satisfied, and
condescended to alight, instead of riding through the carriage gateway.