"What in thunder did you let 'em hitch that goat to your axle-tree
for?"

I looked, and saw the man spoke with just cause. How the goat's
head and shoulders had maintained their normal connection during
the last minute of my drive, I leave for naturalists to explain. I
had no time to meditate on the matter just then, for the train had
stopped. Fortunately the children had struck on their heads, and
the Lawrence-Burton skull is a marvel of solidity. I set them upon
their feet, brushed them off with my hands, promised them all the
candy they could eat for a week, wiped their eyes, and hurried
them to the other side of the depot. Budge rushed at Tom,
exclaiming:--

"See my goat, papa!"

Helen opened her arms, and Toddie threw himself into them,
sobbing:--

"Mam--MA! shing 'Toddie one-boy-day!'"

How uncomfortable a man CAN feel in the society of a dearly-loved
sister and an incomparable brother-in-law I never imagined until
that short drive. Helen was somewhat concerned about the children,
but she found time to look at me with so much of sympathy, humor,
affection, and condescension that I really felt relieved when we
reached the house. I hastily retired to my own room, but before I
had shut the door Helen was with me, and her arms were about my
neck; before the dear old girl removed them we had grown far