Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/81

Rh made a flying leap from the sleigh. "How are you?" And then he shook hands with his parent and with his uncle—that same uncle whom he so strongly resembled,—a resemblance that had been the means of bringing the pair together.

"Dave, my son!" said Mr. Porter, as he smiled a welcome.

"Getting bigger every day, Davy!" was Uncle Dunston's comment. "Before you know it, you'll be taller than I am!" And he gave his nephew a hand-clasp that made Dave wince.

"Oh, he's getting awfully tall, I said so as soon as I saw him," remarked Jessie, as she, too, alighted, followed by Laura. By this time Dave was in the hallway, giving Mrs. Wadsworth a big hug and a kiss. When he had first known her, Dave had been a little afraid of Mrs. Wadsworth, she was such a lady, but now this was past and he treated her as she loved to be treated, just as if he were her son.

"Aren't you glad I've returned to torment you?" he said, as he gave her another squeeze.

"Very glad, Dave, very glad indeed!" she answered, beaming on him. "I don't mind the way you torment me in the least," and then she hurried off, to make sure that the dinner ordered in honor of Dave's home-coming should be properly served.

In the library doorway stood Caspar Potts, his