"Whar in fury have you been, and what's the reason you hain't writ these
dozen years? Come, give us the history of your carryin's on," said Mr.
Joshua Middleton.
"Not now," answered his brother. "Let us wait until evening, and then you
shall hear my adventures; now let me pay my respects to your wife."
While he was introducing himself to Mrs. Middleton, Katy went back to the
kitchen, whither the news had preceded her, causing Bob in his joy to turn
several somersaults. In the last of these he was very unfortunate, for his
heels, in their descent, chanced to hit and overturn a churn full of
buttermilk! When Aunt Katy entered she found Bob bemoaning the backache,
which his mother had unsparingly given him! Aunt Judy herself, having
cleared away the buttermilk, by sweeping it out of doors, was waiting
eagerly to know "if Marster William done axed arter her."
"Why, no, Judy," said Katy, somewhat elated because she had been first to
recognize and welcome the stranger. "Why, no, I can't say he did, and
'tain't nateral like that he should set so much store by you, as by me.
Ain't I got twenty years the start on you; and didn't I nuss him, and
arter his mother died didn't I larn him all his manners?"
Aunt Judy was on the point of crying, when who should walk in but "Marster
William" himself. "I am told," said he, "that Judy is here, Judy, that I
used to play with."
"Lor' bless you, Marster William," exclaimed Judy, at the same time
covering his hand with tears and kisses, "It's Judy, I is, I know'd you
hadn't done forgot me."
"Oh, no, Judy," said he, "I have not forgotten one of you, but I did not
know whether you were living or not, so I did not bring you presents, but
I'll get you something, in a few days. Meantime take this," said he,
slipping a silver dollar into the hands of Aunt Katy and Aunt Judy, each
of whom showered upon him so many blessings and "thankes" that he was glad
to leave the kitchen and return to his companions, who were talking to
Uncle Joshua without getting any definite answer.
His brother's sudden return had operated strangely upon him, and for a
time he seemed to be in a kind of trance. He would draw his chair up
closely to William, and, after gazing intently at him for a time, would
pass his large rough hand over his hair, muttering to himself, "Yes, it is
Bill, and no mistake, but who'd a thought it?"