"I can't keep my mind on my work," he said. "I tie a knot, and then
look up to see if John Atherton is in sight. I never acted like that
before. I'm always glad to see him, but for some strange reason, I
can't wait patiently for him to arrive."

"I'm doing the same thing," his wife said. "I can't keep my mind on
this mending. I take three stitches and then look out of the window.
Isn't it strange?"

The honking of a horn made them hasten to the door.

They saw the big car, they dimly saw Captain Atherton, Polly, and Rose,
but with startling clearness they saw the one thing on earth that they
held most dear,--little Sprite.

She sprang from the car and ran to them, and what a greeting she
received!

Captain Seaford declared that it was the sunlight that made his eyes
water, but gentle Mrs. Seaford made no excuse for her tear-wet lashes.

When the first excitement was over, they were invited to come in and
rest in the quaint living-room of the Seafords' home.

"I thought when I read your letter, Captain Seaford, that you and your
wife were missing little Sprite even more than you had dreamed possible.
I have watched Sprite closely, and sometimes I have thought that she
was homesick. If we make the trip once a fortnight, we shall all be
happier."