Christmas season, too!"

Zoeth's welcome was as hearty, if not as exuberant, as Captain Shad's.
He met her at the door and after the first hug and kiss held her off at
arm's length and looked her over.

"My! my! my!" he exclaimed. "And this is our little Mary-'Gusta come
back again! It don't seem as if it could be, somehow."

"But it is, Uncle Zoeth," declared Mary, laughing. "And ISN'T it good
to be here! Well, Isaiah," turning to Mr. Chase, who, aproned and
shirtsleeved as usual, had been standing grinning in the background,
"haven't you anything to say to me?"

Isaiah had something to say and he said it.

"Glad to see you," he announced. "Feelin' pretty smart? Got a new hat,
ain't you? Supper's ready."

During the meal Mary was kept busy answering questions concerning school
and her life at Mrs. Wyeth's. In her letters she had endeavored to tell
every possible item of news which might be interesting to her uncles,
but now these items were one by one recalled, reviewed, and discussed.

"'Twas kind of funny, that young Smith feller's turnin' up for dinner
that time," observed Mr. Hamilton. "Cal'late you was some surprised to
see him, wan't you?"

Mary smiled. "Why, yes," she said, "but I think he was more surprised to
see me, Uncle Zoeth."