and followed by quite a concourse, turned up the lane to Elnathan
Hamlin's house and stopped before the door, Elnathan and Mrs. Hamlin
came out looking terrified. Perez, fearing some disappointment, had
not told them plainly that he should bring Reuben home, and the report
of the jail-breaking, although it had reached Stockbridge, had not
penetrated to their rather isolated dwelling. So that it was with
chilling apprehensions, rather than hope, that they saw the cart,
driven slowly, as if it carried the dead, stop before their door, and
the crowd of people following it.

"Mother, I've brought Reub home," said Perez, and a gaunt, wild-looking
man was helped out of the cart, and tottered into Mrs. Hamlin's arms.

There was nothing but the faint, familiar smile, and the unaltered
eyes, to tell her that this was the stalwart son whom the sheriff led
away a year ago. Had she learned that he was dead, it would have
shocked her less than to receive him alive and thus. Elnathan and she
led him into the house between them. Ready hands lifted Fennell out of
the cart and bore him in, Prudence following. And then Perez went in
and shut the door, and the cart drove off, the people following.

Although the shock which Mrs. Hamlin had received was almost
overwhelming, she had known, after the first moment, how to conceal
it, and no sooner had the invalids been brought within doors and
comfortably placed, than she began without a moment's delay, to bestir
herself to prepare them food and drink, and make provision for their
comfort. Tears of anguish filled her eyes whenever she turned aside,
but they were wiped away, and her face was smiling and cheery when she
looked at Reuben. But being with Perez a moment in a place apart, she
broke down and cried bitterly.