Fidelia uttered an exclamation, holding out her hand for the card. "I know him well. He is one of my oldest friends, though I have not seen him for years. Shall I go and see him?" "Do go," said Mr Wainright; "and, if he is a friend of yours, ask him to stay to eat his Thanksgiving dinner with us. He will have something to be thankful for when he sees you, I should say." "Of course--ask him to stay. And don't be long about it, for dinner is ready." So Fidelia went in quickly, with both hands stretched out in eager welcome to the friend whom she had not seen for so many years. "Can it be Jabez?" she said softly, pausing before she came near. "I need not ask if it can be Fidelia. You haven't changed, except to grow a little like your sister." "Ah, my Eunice!" Was it the dear name that brought the tears to Fidelia's eyes, and the memory of so many sad and happy days? She could not hide them except by turning her face away, for Jabez held her hands firmly in his, and her smiles came quickly as she looked up at him. "You are a happy woman, Fidelia. Your face tells me that before a word is spoken." "Happy! Yes; and so glad to see you. How can it have happened that we have never met all these long years--never once since you left Halsey?" "I have only been once in Halsey since I left it, and then you were on the other side of the sea, where I have been since." They ought to have had much to say to each other after so long a time, but there was not much said for awhile. Fidelia looked on the face and listened to the voice at once so strange and so familiar, saying to herself how changed he was--and yet he seemed the same. He was a large man now, dark and strong, not at all in these respects like the slender sallow boy who had loitered about the garden in Halsey. But it was Jabez all the same. He was very grave and silent for a time, and walked up and down the room once or twice, pausing at the window which looked out upon the street, as though he had something to consider or to conquer before he could either listen or speak. After a little he came and sat down beside her. "Well, Fidelia, you are a happy woman. You have lived through your troubles, and have come safely to the other side, thank God!" "But, Jabez, it does not seem like trouble to look back upon it now. Only think of my Eunice safe and blessed all these years. Why, I have not shed a tear for a long time--in sorrow!" She might well add the word, for there were tears in her eyes and on her cheeks while she spoke; but there were smiles on her face as well, which made Jabez say-- "I thank God that you are happy now." There was no time for more. The door opened and Mrs Wainright entered, followed by her husband. She did not need an introduction. "I am glad to see you, Mr Ainsworth, and sorry to interrupt you so soon, but dinner is ready, and there will be time to visit afterwards."