She was instantly aware of the misfortune, however, and while the mother and son exchanged greetings after their ten years' separation, Hannah occupied herself in endeavors to pick up the loop of blue yarn which her purblind eyes could scarcely see in the dimming light. When the stitch had been secured, she proffered her own welcome in sober fashion, being, in truth, somewhat overcome by this stalwart and bearded man whom she remembered as a stripling. The two women twittered about the robust newcomer, who took his seat upon the porch steps, pouring out each in her way a flood of questions or exclamations to which he could hardly be expected to pay very close attention. After a separation of ten years the greetings were naturally warm, but the Southers were not a folk given to demonstrativeness, and it was not to the surprise of Mrs. Souther that before many minutes had passed her son said abruptly:-- "Where is she?" "There, there," his mother said, in a tone in which were oddly mingled pride, remonstrance, and fondness, "ain't you got over that yet?" "No," he responded briefly, but laying his hand fondly on that of his mother. "Where is she?" "Like as not she won't see you," his mother ventured. "She sent for me." The two women stared at him in amazement. "Sent for you?" they echoed in unison, their voices raised in pitch. "Yes," he said, rising and throwing back his strong shoulders in a gesture his mother remembered well. "I don't know why I should n't tell you, mother. She said she had been proud as long as she could bear it." The situation was too overwhelmingly surprising for the women to grasp it at once. Their knitting lay neglected in their laps while they tried to take in the full meaning of this wonderful thing. "It is n't her pride," old Sarah said softly. "'T 's his; but she would n't say nothin' against her father if she was to be killed for it." "Is she in the house?" he asked. "No; she 's down to the shore," his mother answered, with a gasp. At that moment sounded from the house the tinkle of a bell. The two women started like guilty things surprised. "Oh, my good gracious!" ejaculated Hannah under her breath. "What is that?" demanded George. "That's his bell," Mrs. Souther answered. "He wants me. You need n't mind." "But he must have heard--" began Hannah breathlessly. Then she stopped abruptly. "Do you think he heard me?" George asked. "Oh, he 'd wake up about this time anyway," his mother said. "Besides," she added, with a novel note of rebellion in her voice, "what if he did? You have a right to come to see me, I should hope." Again the bell tinkled. Old Sarah turned to go into the house. "You'll find her down to the shore," she repeated.