"Oh, if you only knew how frightened we have been!"
"What, do you admit fear to be one of your accomplishments, Miss Sophia?" inquired Jack.
"Certainly, when others are concerned, Master Jack. But, by the way, do you recollect the chimpanzee?"
"Yes, what about the rascal?"
"Oh, I must not tell you, mamma would call me a chatterbox; you will know by-and-by."
In the meanwhile Mary, on her side, was congratulating Toby, who kept scampering between herself and Fritz, at one moment receiving the caresses of the one and at the next of the other, with every demonstration of joy. This had become an established mode of communication between the young people when Fritz arrived from a lengthened ramble; the intelligent, brute, in point of fact, had assumed the office of dragoman.
"Ah, ah, Becker, glad to see you again," said Willis. "Your sons are fountains of knowledge, whilst I am—"
"A very worthy fellow, Willis, and I know it," replied Becker, shaking him heartily by the hand.