"Why, it's Jim! Anna, Yulka, it's Jim
Burden!" She had no sooner caught my
hands than she looked alarmed. "What's
happened? Is anybody dead?"

I patted her arm. "No. I didn't come to
a funeral this time. I got off the train at Hast-
ings and drove down to see you and your
family."

She dropped my hand and began rushing
about. "Anton, Yulka, Nina, where are you
all? Run, Anna, and hunt for the boys.
They're off looking for that dog, somewhere.
And call Leo. Where is that Leo!" She
pulled them out of corners and came bringing
them like a mother cat bringing in her kit-
tens. "You don't have to go right off, Jim?
My oldest boy's not here. He's gone with
papa to the street fair at Wilber. I won't let
you go! You've got to stay and see Rudolph
and our papa." She looked at me implor-
ingly, panting with excitement.

While I reassured her and told her there
would be plenty of time, the barefooted boys
from outside were slipping into the kitchen
and gathering about her.

"Now, tell me their names, and how old
they are."

[[375]]

p374 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p375w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p376

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