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 body sat down in "John's chair," that the girls always removed it from the drawing-room when he was away; but this evening it was replaced at the head of the table, and when they all four sat down to their evening meal, and the Captain said grace, adding thanks for his return to his dear wife and children, they all began to cry, as if the greatest misfortune had happened to them, till Mrs. Hopkinson wiping her eyes, observed, "Well, if ever there were four fools in the world, here they sit. The idea of our crying because John's come home. It's just like Willis. How poor Willis would enjoy having a good cry with us, I wish he were here."

"Indeed, I don't, mamma, it is the last thing I should like—spoiling papa's first day. I was just thinking of putting the chain over the door, and that we should all pretend to be out, or asleep if he came. And besides, we have so much to tell you. The concert was such fun, and St. Maur House is so magnificent."