It was the last of April:  lovely spring weather had come, and the head gardeners and their subordinates of both places found much to do in making all trim and neat against the expected arrival of the respective owners; and of these matters Edward took a general oversight.

He and Zoe were up earlier than their wont on the morning of the long-looked-for day, wandering about the gardens before breakfast.

“How lovely every thing looks!” exclaimed Zoe, in delight.  “I am sure mamma will be greatly pleased, and praise you to your heart’s content, Cuff,” she added, turning to the gardener at work near by.

“Ya’as, Miss Zoe,” he answered, with a broad grin of satisfaction; “dat’s what I’se been a workin’ for, an’ spects to hab sho’, kase Miss Elsie, she doan’ nebber grudge nuffin’ in de way ob praise nor ob wages, when yo’s done yo’ bes’, ob co’se; an’ dis chile done do dat, sho’s yo’ bawn.”

“Yes, I’m sure you have, Cuff,” said Edward kindly:  “the flowers look very flourishing; there’s not a dead leaf or a weed to be seen anywhere; the walks are clean and smooth as a floor; nothing amiss anywhere, so far as I can perceive.”

They moved on, walking slowly, and inspecting carefully as they went, yet finding nothing to mar their satisfaction.

They had reached the front of the house, and were about to go in, when a boy on horseback came cantering up the avenue, and handed a telegram to Edward.

Tearing it hastily open, “From grandpa,” he said.  “Ah! they will be here by the next train!”

“Half a day sooner than they or we expected,” cried Zoe, half joyfully, half in dismay, struck with a momentary fear that her preparations could not be quite complete in season.

Edward hastened to re-assure her.  “Altogether, good news, isn’t it?” he said.  “We can be quite ready, I am sure, and will escape some hours of waiting; while they will gain time for rest and refreshment before the arrival of the family party who are to gather here from the Oaks, Roselands, the Laurels, and the Pines.”

“Oh, yes, yes! it is ever so nice! and I’m as glad as I can be,” she cried rapturously.  “Now let us make haste to get our breakfast, and then attend to the finishing touches needed by the house and our own persons.”

“Stay,” said Edward, detaining her as she was starting up the steps into the veranda.  “We should send word to Fairview, but it will be time enough after breakfast.  Suppose we ride over there immediately upon leaving the table, and carry the news ourselves?  The air and exercise will do you good.”

“It would be very nice,” she returned meditatively; “but I’m afraid I shall hardly have time.”

“Yes, you will,” he said.  “You can give your orders, and let Christine and Aunt Dicey see them carried out.”

“But I want my taste consulted in the arrangement of the flowers,” she objected.

“Plenty of time for that after we get back,” he said.  “And I want your help in deciding whether every thing is exactly as it should be in the grounds at Fairview.  Shall I order the horses?”