CHAPTER XXXIV 495
" This parlour is not his sphere ," I reflected : " the Himalayan ridge or Caffre bush , even the plague-cursed Guinea Coast swamp would suit him better . Well may he eschew the calm of domestic life ; it is not his element : there his faculties stagnate -- they cannot develop or appear to advantage . It is in scenes of strife and danger -- where courage is proved , and energy exercised , and fortitude tasked -- that he will speak and move , the leader and superior . A merry child would have the advantage of him on this hearth . He is right to choose a missionary ' s career -- I see it now ."
" They are coming ! they are coming !" cried Hannah , throwing open the parlour door . At the same moment old Carlo barked joyfully . Out I ran . It was now dark ; but a rumbling of wheels was audible . Hannah soon had a lantern lit . The vehicle had stopped at the wicket ; the driver opened the door : first one well-known form , then another , stepped out . In a minute I had my face under their bonnets , in contact first with Mary ' s soft cheek , then with Diana ' s flowing curls . They laughed -- kissed me -- then Hannah : patted Carlo , who was half wild with delight ; asked eagerly if all was well ; and being assured in the affirmative , hastened into the house .
They were stiff with their long and jolting drive from Whitcross , and chilled with the frosty night air ; but their pleasant countenances expanded to the cheerful firelight . While the driver and Hannah brought in the boxes , they demanded St . John . At this moment he advanced from the parlour . They both threw their arms round his neck at once . He gave each one quiet kiss , said in a low tone a few words of welcome , stood a while to be talked to , and then , intimating that he supposed they would soon rejoin him in the parlour , withdrew there as to a place of refuge .
I had lit their candles to go upstairs , but Diana had first to give hospitable orders respecting the driver ; this done , both followed me . They were delighted with the renovation and decorations of their rooms ; with the new drapery , and fresh carpets , and rich tinted china vases : they expressed their gratification ungrudgingly . I had the pleasure of feeling that my arrangements met their wishes exactly , and that what I had done added a vivid charm to their joyous return home .