As the dear old village of Elmwood rose to my view in the distance, I could hardly contain my joy. I had written to my mother, informing her of the day she might look for my arrival, but at the time I knew not that Aunt Lucinda would accompany me, and her visit was certainly a joyful surprise. Quite a number of my young companions had accompanied my mother and sister to the depot. Charley Gray, of course, was there, having returned to Elmwood two days earlier than I. It is needless for me to say that, to all, the meeting was a happy one. My mother was almost overjoyed at thus unexpectedly meeting with the sister she had not seen for so long a time, and the sight of her elder sister recalled to her mind many almost forgotten incidents of her childhood’s days. “You see Ellen,” said Aunt Lucinda, addressing my mother, “I have brought your boy home to you safe and sound, and I believe half a head taller than when he left you. I don’t know as I should have come only I couldn’t trust him away from me so long.” “I should say by Walter’s appearance, that he has not missed a mother’s care very much, and thanks from me would poorly express my gratitude.” Charley Gray had remained with me the last night I spent at home, and he also gained permission to remain this first night of my return. It was a happy, and I might add a merry party which surrounded my mother’s tea-table that evening, which, to please me, was spread under my favourite tree in the garden. So happy was I to be once more at home that I almost felt afraid to go to sleep that night lest I should awake in the morning and find it all a dream. “If you were as tired of the cars as I am,” said Aunt Lucinda “you would think this journey no dream, but an awful reality, for my head is all in a whirl yet, and I shall feel no better till I got a good night’s sleep.”