I prepared the dinner, and if it lacked the flavor of grandma’s cooking, those who ate it did not tell me.  Grandpa lingered a moment to bestow a meed of praise on my work, then went off to the back corral to slaughter a beef for the shop.  I began clearing the table, and was turning from it with a vegetable dish in each hand when I caught sight of the shadow of a tall silk hat in the open space above the closed half door.  Then the hat and its wearer appeared.

Leaning over the edge of the door, he gazed at me standing there as if I were nailed to the floor.  I was speechless with amazement, and it seemed a long while before he remarked lightly, “You don’t seem to know me.”

“Yes, you are Mr. Wilder, my brother-in-law,” I stammered.  “Where is Elitha?”

[Illustration:  SACRAMENTO CITY IN THE EARLY FIFTIES]

[Illustration:  FRONT STREET, SACRAMENTO CITY, 1850]

He informed me that she and their little daughter were at the hotel in town, where they had arrived about noon, and that she wanted Georgia and me to be prompt in coming to her at four o’clock.  I told him that we could not do so, because Georgia was at Mrs. Bergwald’s, grandma on a journey beyond Bodego, and I at home in charge of the work.

In surprise he listened, then asked, “But aren’t you at all anxious to see your sister and little niece?”

Most earnestly, I replied that I was.  Nevertheless, as grandma was away, I could not leave the place until after the day’s work was done.  Then I enumerated what was before me.  He agreed that there was quite enough to keep me busy, yet insisted that I ought to keep the appointment for four o’clock.  After his departure, I rushed out to grandpa, told him who had come and gone, and what had passed between us.  He too, regretted the situation, but promised that I should spend the evening at the hotel.

I fairly flew about my work that afternoon, and my brain was as active as my hands and feet.  I was certain that brother and sister had come for us, and the absorbing query was, “How did they happen to arrive at this particular time?” I also feared there was more trouble before me, and remembered my promise to grandma with twinges of regret.

At half-past four, I was feeding the hens in the yard, and, looking up, saw a strange carriage approaching.  Instantly, I guessed who was in it, and was at the gate before it stopped.  Elitha greeted me kindly, but not cordially.  She asked why I had not come as requested, and then said, “Go, bring the silver thimble Frances left here, and the coral necklace I gave you.”

In my nervous haste I could not find the thimble, but carried out the necklace.  She next bade me take the seat beside her, thus disclosing her intention of carrying me on, picking up Georgia and proceeding to Sacramento.  She was annoyed by my answer and disappointed in what she termed my lack of pride.  Calling my attention to my peculiar style of dress and surroundings, to my stooped shoulders and callous hands, she bade me think twice before I refused the comfortable home she had to offer.