Christmas holidays. When the store of Hamilton and Company came in sight
she sank down on the back seat in order not to be seen. She knew her
uncles were, in all probability, there at the store, and she wished to
see Isaiah and talk with him before meeting them.

Isaiah was in the kitchen by the cookstove when she opened the door. He
turned, saw her, and stood petrified. Mary entered and closed the door
behind her. By that time Mr. Chase had recovered sufficiently from his
ossification to speak.

"Eh--eh--by time!" he gasped. "I snum if it ain't you!"

Mary nodded. "Isaiah," she asked quickly, "are you alone? Are my uncles,
both of them, at the store?"

But the cook and steward had not yet completely got over the effect of
the surprise. He still stared at her.

"It IS you, ain't it!" he stammered. "I--I--by time, I do believe you've
come home, same as I asked you to."

"Of course I've come home. How in the world could I be here if I
hadn't? DON'T stare at me like that, with your mouth open like a--like a
codfish. Tell me, are Uncle Shad and Uncle Zoeth at the store?"

"Eh--Yes, I cal'late they be. Ain't neither of 'em come home to dinner
yet. I'm expectin' one of 'em 'most any minute. I'll run up and fetch
'em. Say! How in the nation did you get here this time of day?"

"I shall tell you by and by. No, I don't want you to get my uncles. I