Papa said, 'You're going to see a scramble as soon as we round that bend.'
It was more of a stampede than a scramble. The little one came out first, and all but tore the screen door from its hinges. The older girls passed her just beyond the gate. In her hurry, she slipped and fell face down in the snow. She started crying.
The older girls ran up asking for the cup.
Holding it high over my head, I said, 'Now wait a minute. I've got another one for you two.' I held the small silver cup out to them.
While they were fighting over it, I ran to the little one. Picking her up, I brushed the snow from her long, braided hair and her tear-stained face. I told her there was no.use to cry. I had brought the gold cup to her, and no one else was going to get it.
Reaching for the cup, she wrapped her small arms around it. Squeezing it up tight, she ran for the house to show it to Mama.
Mama came out on the porch. She was just as excited as the girls were. She held out her arms. I ran to her. She hugged me and kissed me.
'It's good to have you home again,' she said.
'Look what I have, Mama,' the little one cried, 'and it's ail mine.'
She held the golden cup out in her two small hands.
As Mama took the beautiful cup, she looked at me. She started to say something but was interrupted by the cries from the other girls.
'We have one, too, Mama,' they cried, 'and it's just as pretty as that one.'
'It's not either,' the little one piped in a defiant voice. 'It's not even as big as mine.'
'Two cups!' Mama exclaimed. 'Did you win two?'
'Yes, Mama,' I said. 'Little Ann won that one all by herself.'
The awed expression on my mother's face was wonderful to see. Holding a cup in each hand, she held them out in front of her.
'Two,' she said. 'A gold one and a silver one. Who would have thought anything so wonderful could have happened to us. I'm so proud; so very proud.'
Handing the cups back to the girls, she walked over to Papa. After kissing him, she said, 'I just can't believe everything that has happened. I'm so glad you went along. Did you enjoy yourself?'
With a smile on his face, Papa almost shouted, 'Enjoy myself? Why, I never had such a time in my 1 'C ' lire.
His voice trailed off to a low calm, 'That is, except for one thing. Grandpa had a bad accident.'
'Yes, I know,' Mama said. 'One of Tom Logan's boys was at the store when they arrived. He came by and told us all about it. The doctor said it wasn't as bad as it looked, and he was pretty sure Grandpa would be home in a few days.'
I was happy to hear this news, and could tell by the pleased look on my father's face, he was glad to hear it, too.
On entering the house, Papa said, 'Oh, I almost forgot.' He handed the box of money to Mama.
'What's this?' she asked.
'Oh, it's just a little gift from Old Dan and Little Ann,' Papa said.
Mama opened the box. I saw the color drain from her face. Her hands started trembling. Turning her back to us, she walked over and set it on the mantel. A peaceful silence settled over the room. I could hear the clock ticking away. The fire in the fireplace crackled and popped.
Turning from the mantel, Mama looked straight at us. Her lips were tightly pressed together to keep them from quivering. Walking slowly to Papa, she buried her face in his chest. I heard her say, 'Thank God, my prayers
