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82 Tom Seven Years Old.

“Wait till the train stops,” said his papa.
“Tom, stand still. Don’t get out yet.”

“There’s Richard—dear Richard!” called
Tom. “He’s coming! Here, Richard—here
we are—how do you do? And how is
mamma, and my hen and rabbits ?” |

“ All well, sir,” said Richard, helping them
out, and looking as glad to see them as they
were to see him.

“Does mamma know we're coming ?”
asked Tom, running across the platform.
“ Does she know we're here? How do you
do, coachman? How’s my hen and rabbits,
and mamma ?”

They got into the carriage.

“ All well,” said Tom. “Richard and the
_coachman both say so. I’m very glad. Oh,
what a long way itis! And I can’t see the
changes since I’ve been away. I think the
hedge is greener all the way along. I’m
- almost sure it is. There’s the gate and the
lilac-bushes ; and, papa, look—there’s the
house !”

“Sit still, sit still!” cried his papa; but t