" He threw back his head and sang
softly to himself as they went on under the scudding clouds.
VII
IF THIS BE LOVE
An hour later, Cephas, son of Cupid, gathering his basketful of chips at
the woodpile, beheld his young master approaching by the branch road, and
started shrieking for the house. "Hi! hit's Marse Dan! hit's Marse Dan!" he
yelled to his father Cupid in the pantry; "I seed 'im fu'st! Fo' de Lawd, I
seed 'im fu'st!" and the Major, hearing the words, appeared instantly at
the door of his library.
"It's the boy," he called excitedly. "Bless my soul, Molly, the boy has
come!"
The old lady came hurriedly downstairs, pinning on her muslin cap, and by
the time Dan had dismounted at the steps the whole household was assembled
to receive him.
"Well, well, my boy," exclaimed the Major, moving nervously about, "this is
a surprise, indeed. We didn't look for you until next week. Well, well."
He turned away to wipe his eyes, while Dan caught his grandmother in his
arms and kissed her a dozen times. The joy of these simple souls touched
him with a new tenderness; he felt unworthy of his grandmother's kisses and
the Major's tears. Why had he stayed away when his coming meant so much?
What was there in all the world worth the closer knitting of these strong
blood ties?
"By George, but I'm glad to get here," he said heartily. "There's nothing
I've seen across the water that comes up to being home again; and the sight
of your faces is better than the wonders of the world, I declare.
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