That allusion to the Captain

Thatallusion to the Captain, now on his return trip, madeboyscombat bootsMrs. Jessie sob in her napkin, and set the boys cheering. Then, asif that was not sensation enough, Archie suddenly dashed out of theroom, as if he had lost his wits.
"Toobashful to stay and be praised," began Charlie, excusing thepeculiarities of his chief as in duty bound.
"Phebebeckoned to him; I saw her," cried Rose, staring hard at thecomfortablehunting boots door.
"Isit more presents coming?" asked Jamie, just as his brotherre-appeared, looking more excited than ever.
"Yes;a present for mother, and here it is!" roared Archie, flingingwide the door to let in a tall man, who cried out
"Where'smy little woman? The first kiss for her, then the rest may come on asfast asblackwaterproof boots they like."
Beforethe words were out of his mouth, Mrs. Jessie was half-hidden underhis rough great-coat, and four boys were prancing about himclamouring for their turn.
Ofcourse, thereredwing classic lifestyle bootwas a joyful tumult for a time, during which Rose slipped into thewindow recess and watched what went on, as if it were a chapter in aChristmas story. It was good to see bluff Uncle Jem look proudly athis tall son, and fondly hug the little ones. It was better still tosee him shake his brothers' hands as if he would never leave off, andkiss all theredwing boot dealerssisters in a way that made even solemn Aunt Myra brighten up for aminute. But it was best of all to see him finally established ingrandfather's chair, with his "little woman" beside him,his three youngest boys in his lap, and Archie hovering over him likea large-sized cherub. That really was, as Charlie said, "Alandscape to do one's heartwomenboot salegood."
"Allhearty and all here, thank God!" said Captain Jem in the firstpause that came, as he looked about him with a grateful face.
"Allbut Rose," answered loyal little Jamie, remembering the absent.
"Faith,I forgot the child! Where is George's little girl?" asked theCaptain, whowomenscowboy boothad not seen her since she was a baby.
"You'dbetter say Alec's great girl," said Uncle Mac, who professed tobe madly jealous of his brother.
"HereI am, sir," and Rose appeared from behind the curtains, lookingas if she had rather havejordanshose stayedthere.
"SaintGeorge Germain, how the mite has grown!" cried Captain Jem, ashe tumbled the boys out of his lap, and rose to greet the tall girl,like a gentleman as he was. But, somehow, when he shook her hand itlooked so small in his big one, andchippewawork boother face reminded him so strongly of his dead brother, that he wasnot satisfied with so cold a welcome, and with a sudden softening ofthe keen eyes he took her up in his arms, whispering, with a roughcheek against her smooth one "God bless you, child! forgive meif I forgot you for a minute, and be sure that not one of yourkinsfolk is happierkidssheepskinto see you here than Uncle Jem."
Thatmade it all right; and when he set her down, Rose's face was sobright it was evident that some spell had been used to banish thefeeling of neglect that had kept her moping behind the curtain solong.
Thateveryone sat round and heard allboysafter ski boots about the voyage home how the Captain had set his heart on gettingthere in time to keep Christmas; how everything had conspired tothwart his plan; and how, at the very last minute, he had managed todo it, and had sent a telegram to Archie, bidding him keep thesecret, and be ready for his father at any moment, for the ship gotinto another port, andteenboothe might be late.