It is needless to say that, notwithstanding Goody Tom-
son's fatigues and maternal incumbrances, she was most
happy, before closing her eyes in sleep, to receive Peter's
phghted troth without reservation, and to promise in return
to make him a happy man after the crops should be gathered
in, in the fall. In the meantime, it was arranged that he
should expend his labors upon the estate of Tomson de-
ceased, and act as the nocturnal protector of the family, as
he had done for several months.
Two or three days after his return from the Bay, Mr.
Pynchon invited his children to his house — at the same
time giving them an intimation that important business was
to be advised upon, at the interview. The party was —
strange as it may appear — the most joyous one that had ga-
thered in the old family house for many years. The children
of Holyoke and Henry Smith, loosened from the strait rules
of decorum which at that time curbed the natural overflow
of childish hilarity, fiUed the house with their mirthful mu-

11



386 THE BAY PATH.
sic, while parent and grand-parent listened, not only with-
out remonstrance but with positive delight.
