And the happy look on her face told how like balm to her heart his words came.
"And they are coming to see you early this morning," he finally assured her.

"I wouldn't be surprised if either of them has had a single wink of sleep last night for counting the minutes creep by, they are that anxious to claim you and Joey." Just then the doorbell rang.

Hugh laughed, as though he had been expecting such a happening; in fact, he had heard the sound of sleigh runners without creaking on the hard-frozen snow, and suspected what it signified.
"There they are this minute!" he exclaimed; "shall I run down and let them in, Mother?
And ought they come right upstairs ?" "Have them take off their wraps first, and warm their hands at the radiator," she wisely told him, thinking of the invalid who would soon be in their embrace.
It was a very brief time before he ushered them into the room.

First the old lady was assisted across the floor, for she could hardly walk, even when so determined to come over, and greet her granddaughter.

And when her arms were twined around the weak little figure on the bed, and she pressed her to her matronly bosom, Joey's mother broke down in hysterical sobs, and, in turn, twined her arms about the neck of her newly found relative.
The old deacon looked radiant.