by some abominable mystery of the kitchen, to keep some of them over through a period of frost and oblivion, and to-day they made their appearance in due form on the table again; my horror at which appearance has I believe given me an indigestion, to which you may attribute whatever of gloominess there may be contained in this letter.  I certainly felt very heavy when I sat down; but the sight of all your faces through fancy’s sweet medium has greatly refreshed me.

“Nevertheless answer me speedily, for I am in earnest, although I am in jest.

“I intend to see you at all events soon.

“Love to the little ones and to dear ma and pa from

“Rufus.”

“What does father say, mother?” was all Winthrop’s commentary on this epistle.  She gave him the other letter, and he yielded his brother’s again to her stretched-out hand.

“Vantassel, March 22, 1809.

“My dear Orphah,

“I am really coming home!  I never knew any months so long, it seems to me, as these three.  The business will be finished I believe next week, and the Session will rise, and the first use I shall make of my recovered freedom will be —­ can you doubt it? —­ to hasten home to my family.  My dear family —­ they are closer to me all the time than you think, and for some weeks past it seems to me they have had half of every thought.  But I will be with you now, Providence willing, by the middle of the week, I hope, or as soon after as I can.

“The last fortnight has been spent in talking —­ we have had a very stormy discussion of that point I spoke to you of in my last.  The opposition of parties has run very high.  It is gaining fearful ground in the country.  I tremble for what may be the issue.

“I am quite well again.  Mr. Haye has been very attentive and kind, and the Chancellor has shewn himself very friendly.

“I expect Will will be at home as soon as I am myself.  I wrote to him that he had better do so.  I cannot afford to keep him any longer there, and there seems nothing better for him to do at present but to come home.  I hope for better days.

“Love to all till I see you, my dear wife and children,

“W.  Landholm.

“My son Winthrop, this word is for you.  I am coming home soon I hope to relieve you of so much care.  Meanwhile a word.  I want Sam to go into the north hill-field with the plough, as soon as he can; I think the frost must be out of the ground with you.  I intend to put wheat there and in the big border meadow.  The bend meadow is in no hurry; it will take corn, I guess.  You had better feed out the turnips to the old black cow and the two heifers.”

The letters were read at last, and folded up, by the respective hands that held them.

“Well, Will’s coming home,” the mother said, with half a sigh.

Winthrop did not answer; he made over to her hand the letter he held in his own.