"There come the De Smets, as sure as you live!" cried Granny,rising from the wheelbarrow, where she had been sitting. "Icertainly am glad to see them." And she started at once down theriver to meet the boat, with Jan and Marie and Fidel allfollowing.

"Ship ahoy!" she cried gayly as the boat drew near. The boy whomwas driving the mule grinned shyly. The woman on deck lifted hereyes from her sewing, smiled, and waved her arm at Granny, whilethe two little children ran to the edge of the boat; and held outtheir arms to her.