"Oh, daddy, it has been a long time!" Those were the first words
either of them had spoken.

Tom opened his lips, then he closed them. He patted Barbara
clumsily, and finally cleared his aching throat with a loud
"_Harrumph!_" He dashed the tears from his eyes with the heel of
one harsh palm, then leveled a defiant glare over her head, directed
at anyone who might be looking on at his weakness. It was a blurry
glare, however, andnot nearly so ferocious as he intended it to be.
After several efforts he managed to regain control of his vocal powers.

"Well, son!" he cried, huskily; then, "_Harrumph_!"

Barbara's clutch tightened appreciatively. "Such a long, long
time!" Still with her cheek pressed close against him, she ran a
small gloved hand into the pocket of his coat and brought forth a
bandana handkerchief which she thrust into his palm, saying: "It's
a good thing I'm home, for you've caught another cold, haven't
you? Now blow your nose."

Barbara was anything but boyish to look at; quite the opposite, in
fact. She was delightfully feminine from the crown of her smart
little traveling hat to her dainty French heels, and although her
suit was not expensive, it was worn with an air and was perhaps as
fetching as any that had ever come to Wichita Falls. It gave the
impression of perfectly setting off a figure and a personality
that required no setting off. She had the Parker eyes of
quenchless blue.

"Well, son, there's a boom on and the town has grown some; but I