With a little cry of pleasure she flung it open, to find Eddie standing outside. She gave a cry of delight. Somehow, the interval since she had seen him last, significant as it was in bringing to her the greatest change her life had known, seemed for the second longer than all the years she had spent in England without seeing him.
"Eddie! Oh, my dear, I'm so glad to see you!" she cried, flinging her arms around his neck.
"But how did you come? I didn't hear any wheels."
"Look." He pointed over to the shed; she looked over his shoulder to see Reggie Hornby grinning at her from the seat of a wagon.
"Why, it's Reggie Hornby. Reggie!" she called.
Reggie took off his broad hat with a flourish.
"Tell him he can put the horse in the lean-to."
"All right. Reg," called Marsh, "give the old lady a feed and put her in the lean-to."
"Didn't you meet Frank? He's only just this moment gone out."
"He'll be back presently. Now, come in. Oh, my dear, _it is_ splendid to see you!"
"Sure. We got something to eat before we left Prentice."
"Ah," laughed Nora happily, "you're not a real Canadian yet, if you refuse a cup of tea when it's offered you. But do sit down and make yourself comfortable," she said, fairly pushing him into a chair.
"How are you getting along, Nora?" His manner was still a little constrained. They were both thinking of their last parting. But she, being a woman, could carry it off better.
"Oh, never mind about me," she said gayly. "Tell me all about yourself. How's Gertie? And what has brought you to this part of the world? And what's Reggie Hornby doing here? And is Thingamajig still with you; you know, the hired man?"--The word "other" almost slipped out.--"What _was_ his name, Trotter, wasn't it? Oh, my dear, don't sit there like a stuffed pig, but answer my questions, or I'll shake you."
"My dear child, I can't answer fifteen questions all at once!"
"Oh, Eddie, I'm so glad to see you! You are a perfect duck to come and see me."
"I won't utter another syllable. But, for goodness' sake, hurry up. I want to know all sorts of things."
"Well, the most important thing is that I'm expecting to be a happy father in three or four months."
"Oh, Eddie, I'm so glad! How happy Gertie must be."