There was a rush for the door. Jeff flung it
open, and he and Just raced to the hansom which was driving up. The rest
of the party crowded the doorway, Mrs. Peyton and Lucy and Randolph
being of the group.
"How are you, everybody?" called Doctor Churchill's eager voice, as he
and Charlotte ran up the walk to the door, Jeff and Just following.
"Well, this is fine! Father--mother--Celia--my little Ellen--bless your
hearts, but it's good to see you!"
How could anybody help loving a son-in-law like that? One would have
thought they were indeed his own. While Charlotte remained wrapped in
her mother's embrace, Doctor Churchill was greeting them all twice over,
with apparently no eyes for the three he had not expected to see. For
the moment it was plain that he had not recognized them, and supposed
them to be strangers to whom he would presently be made known.
But now, as somebody moved aside and the light struck upon her, he
caught the smile on Mrs. Peyton's face. He left off shaking Jeff's hand,
and made a quick movement toward the little figure in black.
"Why, Cousin Lula!" he exclaimed.
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