"Good!" said the father, actually taking a tiny rosebud from the clean
milk bottle, in the center of the table, and putting it in his
buttonhole.

"Would it be silly for a boy to wear a flower?" faltered Johnnie, "Joe
Dale often does."

"Indeed every boy in school will know to-day that pop is the 'head
constable' so why shouldn't you decorate?" and the sister put in the
fresh linen waist a bud that exactly matched the one chosen by the
squire.

Mr. Travers recalled that this was the first morning he could remember
when his two children sat at table with him. They were always busy or
sleeping--any place but where they should be at breakfast time.

"Now, I must see Dorothy before school," said Tavia, leaving the table.
"Johnnie, just eat all your toast while I clear up. Then you can bring
in fresh water, and some wood to have ready for noon, in case mother
should not get home in time to do everything."

Mr. Travers was also in a hurry to get down to the Green, he had made an
appointment to talk with Major Dale and he did not delay after
breakfast. A new world had been discovered by him--the land of
prosperity; ambition for his children, and perhaps even contentment for
the incompetent little woman who had suffered too, and who now might
find a way and heart to do what seemed not worth while before.

But Dorothy had "anticipated" Tavia's visit and was at the door before