A week later I finished my task and returned
to Albany, arriving there about eight o'clock in
the evening. To my great surprise, I found
McCarthy at our house. My sister was in her
best gown, and never looked lovelier. She ran
to meet me, and put her arms around my neck
and gave me a hearty greeting.
"You shall not move another step until you
have congratulated me," she said.
"On what — ^your looks? They were never
better or happier," I answered.
"But I'm happier than I look," she went on,
"for I am to be the wife of the noblest gentle-
man in the land."

"It must be McCarthy," I said, as I tinned
to him.
"It is and it isn't," said he. "But I'm glad

303



The Hand-Made Gentleman

to confinn the report that she's consented to
many me."

"I congratulate you both," was my answer,
and we were all so happy then that we just sat
down and looked at one another and laughed
untfl there were tears in our eyes.
"Well, after all, mother," I said, presently,
"some good has come of that wretched journey
of mine."

"All things work together for good if we will
let them," said she.
