"That's right," said Mother Fisher, smiling approval.

"Mrs. Fisher!" called Grandpapa's voice at the door. Thereupon Polly
and Phronsie sprang to their feet, and a lively race ensued to see
which should be there the first to open it. The consequence was that
both faces met him at once.

"Bless me!" cried old Mr. King, laughing gaily, as the door flew open,
and they both rushed into his arms; "so you did like to have your old
Grandfather come to see you," he exclaimed, mightily pleased.

"I should think we did!" cried Polly, as they escorted him in, and led
him to the seat of honour, a big carved arm-chair, with a faded
tapestry covering.

"I should very much like to get into your lap, Grandpapa dear," said
Phronsie, surveying him gravely as he sat down and leaned his head
against the chair back.

"So you shall," cried Mr. King, lifting her up to his knee, Araminta
and all. She perched there in quiet content, while he set forth his
business which he had come to talk over with Mother Fisher.

"Now, you know those three boys of yours are the most splendid boys
that ever were in all this world, and they are working away at home,
studying and all that, Joel and David are, and Ben is pegging away at
business." Old Mr. King thought best to go to the heart of the matter
at once without any dallying.