“Yes; our first plan was to stop in the city last night, but we remembered our pleasant trip on the water by moonlight when we left here four weeks ago, and as the moon was full, we thought we would come down again by moonlight, and then, too, we thought it would be so much pleasanter to reach home this morning, in time to breakfast with you, and have the whole day before us for reunion, than to get here late to-night, too tired to walk or do anything else but get supper and go to bed. Don’t you agree with me that it was best to come home now,—just now?” “Yes, my darling, that I do,” answered the General, heartily; “but I am sorry you have got neuralgia.” Anna looked at him, quizzically. “I am not quite sure that I have got it, or ever had it; but I am quite certain about the corn. Now, ain’t you going to speak to Dick?” “Dick! Certainly; how do you do, my dear boy? A hundred welcomes home!” exclaimed the General, releasing Anna from his embrace, and turning to greet the “unlucky dog.” Dick was then in the act of tossing his godson high in his arms, until he made him laugh and crow aloud, and then looking him solemnly in the face, and saying: “I am your godfather, sir. Treat me with more respect, and don’t be taking me for your equals!” Now he turned his bright face, and held out his eager hand to receive his uncle’s clasp, saying: “I am very glad to get home, sir, and gladder still to see you.” Anna had gone to embrace Drusilla. “How happy I am to see you again!” she said. “And I you,” answered Drusa, smiling. “How well you are looking, dear!” exclaimed each to the other, speaking simultaneously. “And now, Dick, give me little Leonard; I want to look at him! Remember, sir, if you _are_ his godfather, I am his godmother, and have my rights. Don’t be trying to exercise man’s usurped prerogative by ‘claiming the child,’” said Anna, holding out her hands for the boy. “I shall never attempt to assert man’s prerogative against woman’s rights,” laughed Dick placing the child in her arms, and then going to pay and dismiss the wagon which was now unloaded of all the luggage it had brought, and was ready to go. “Bless my soul! Anna, my dear, how came you to return by such a very rude and primitive conveyance as that?” inquired the General, as the great old wagon rattled and rumbled past on its way back. “Couldn’t get any other, dear grandpa! The ‘Foaming Tankard’ don’t boast a carriage of any description except this.” “If I had only known, I could have sent the coach to meet you. I should have sent it anyway this afternoon.” “But you wouldn’t have had me to wait till the afternoon for it, dear grandpa?” laughed Anna. “Oh, no, no, no! by no means! Only, if I had but known, I could have so easily sent it. Such a conveyance for a lady to come in!” exclaimed the old gentleman, as he gazed after the retreating wagon that rather jumped and bounced along than rolled.