"That is to say, inadvertently," added Fritz; "designedly is out of the question."
"No, not even inadvertently," replied their mother.
"Were you very sorry when Frank and Ernest were going to leave us?"
"Yes, my children, the tears still burn my cheek."
"Nevertheless, you knew that it was for the common welfare, and you felt resigned to the separation."
"But why do you ask such a question now?"
"Well, à propos de rien, mother," replied Jack, "simply because we love you, and, like misers, we treasure your love."
Towards the afternoon both families were again assembled under the trees at Falcon's Nest This time it was dinner that brought them together; the repast consisted of cold meats of various kinds, but the chief dish was a wonderful salad, the rich, fresh odor of which perfumed the air. Wolston, Frank, and Ernest kept up a lively conversation, yet, though all seemed happy and pleased, there were bursting hearts at the table that day."
"I am going to take a turn in the pinnace to-morrow," said Willis, quietly; "who will go with me?"
"I will!" cried all the four brothers.