Lom goes Home. 83

 

was no use. Tom did not hear him, and
could not sit still.

The house door was open, and the passage
was light. Tom’s mamma had evidently
known they were near, for she stood ready
waiting. She seemed even happier than
Xichard was to see them. Tom rushed up
the steps. His papa did not keep him back
any longer.

“These kisses are mine!” cried Tom;
“and this one is Aunt May’s, that I promised .
to give; and these are mine again! Oh,
mamma, how nice you look, and how nice
everything looks! I had forgotten how nice
everything was.”

His mamma gave him as many kisses in
return as he gave her. Tom thought he
never would be tired of kissing her. Then
he slipped off her knee, and ran about every-
where, looking at everything. It was too late
to go to his hen and rabbits; but she told
him also that they were quite well, and would
most likely be asleep.

“Wait a minute,” called she, as he was