But what a changed Matilda! "Well, Jane," coming forward and holding out both hands, "did you and Susan feel it?" Jane staggered and laid hold of a chair. "Feel--" she stammered--"feel what? Oh, Aunt Matilda!" "Did you feel the good I've been doing you? How's my sister?" "She--oh, she's all right." "Up and dressed?" "Yes." "There, you see!" Matilda turned to Mr. Beamer, triumph radiating her whole figure. "It worked,--oh, Matthew, it worked." Then she turned back to Jane. "Get up right off, didn't she? Same day I left?" "Y--yes." Jane clung more tightly to the chair. She began to doubt the ground beneath her feet. "Perfectly well, strong, able-bodied,--isn't she?" "Yes." "You see?--" to Mr. Beamer. Then, "Oh, it's too splendid! I s'pose the cat's stopped snooping, too, hasn't he?" "Y--yes." "House all clean? Garden growing fine?"-- "Yes, indeed." "And you, Jane, how are you?" "Oh, I'm all right. I--I've become engaged." "You hear that, Matthew? And the town?" "Everybody's well." "Did you ever in all your life!" "Oh, old Mrs. Croft died!" "Did she indeed. Katie happy?--" "Katie was away. She died here." "How nice! I expect she enjoyed every minute of it. Oh, Jane, you don't know how happy your every word is making me!" "Shan't I call auntie?" "No, we'll go out and have breakfast with you. We had one breakfast so as to make it easy for you to have us have it with you." "Do come right out to the table." Jane led the way. "I can't think what Aunt Susan will say!" "Never mind what she says--it'll be just right. Everything always is. Come, Matthew;" then Mrs. Matilda Beamer led off, and Mr. Matthew Beamer followed, smiling cheerfully. He seemed to be a very cheerful man. "Perhaps I'd better go first and just prepare auntie," Jane suggested hastily. "No need. She always yelled when she saw me suddenly, and this time it will be for joy. Life is going to be all joy for Susan now." Jane turned the button of the dining-room door. "Auntie Susan, it's Aunt Matilda and Mr. Beamer." Susan justified her sister's views by forthwith giving the yell of her whole life. "Ma--tilda!--And Mr. Beamer!--" Matilda went up to her, seized her, gave her a good hug and a real kiss. "I've made lots of mistakes," she said, with a big tear in each eye, "but somehow it was written that I should be allowed to make them right. Susan, this is Matthew. Sit down, Matthew. Sit down, every one." Lorenzo hastily pushed up chairs, and they all sat down. "I'll get some more dishes," Jane exclaimed, hurrying into the pantry. "Matilda!" Susan looked almost ready to faint. "Are you--are you--" "I'm married," said Matilda. "I don't know what I've ever done to deserve it, but I'm married. It's the most beautiful romance that ever was in the world, and we've come to tell you all about it." "Oh, do!" Susan exclaimed. "Jane, come back! Think of another romance, and Matilda, too! Well, what next!"