Presently the dory grated on the pebbles, and Johnny Bowden,
who had been kept in abeyance during the voyage, sprang out and
used manful exertions to haul us up with the next wave, so that
Mrs. Todd could make a dry landing.
"You don that very well," she said, mounting to her feet, and
coming ashore somewhat stiffly, but with great dignity, refusing
our outstretched hands, and returning to possess herself of a bag
which had lain at her feet.
"Well, mother, here I be!" she announced with indifference;
but they stood and beamed in each other's faces.
"Lookin' pretty well for an old lady, ain't she?" said Mrs.
Todd's mother, turning away from her daughter to speak to me. She
was a delightful little person herself, with bright eyes and an
affectionate air of expectation like a child on a holiday. You
felt as if Mrs. Blackett were an old and dear friend before you let
go her cordial hand. We all started together up the hill.
"Now don't you haste too fast, mother," said Mrs. Todd
warningly; "'tis a far reach o' risin' ground to the fore door, and
you won't set an' get your breath when you're once there, but go
trotting about.
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