Charley fetched out one hearty speech after another, and did his best to drive away his friend's bodings and apprehensions.
"Anything HAPPENED to her?
Henry, that's pure nonsense.

There isn't anything going to happen to her; just make your mind easy as to that.
What did the letter say?
Said she was well, didn't it?
And said she'd be here by nine o'clock, didn't it?
Did you ever know her to fail of her word?
Why, you know you never did.

Well, then, don't you fret; she'll BE here, and that's absolutely certain, and as sure as you are born.

Come, now, let's get to decorating--not much time left." Pretty soon Tom and Joe arrived, and then all hands set about adoring the house with flowers.

Toward nine the three miners said that as they had brought their instruments they might as well tune up, for the boys and girls would soon be arriving now, and hungry for a good, old-fashioned break-down.