"Hello!" he called to them before they had alighted.
"How is this, that a fellow gets a week's vacation, and comes home from school to find only servants to greet him?"
"Why, Robert, I am glad enough to have you home for a week. I thought you were to stay at school for extra coaching?"
"That's what I wrote in my last letter," said Rob, "but I passed exams. with flying colors. I was nervous, and feared I wasn't prepared, but say! I was needlessly scared, for I not only 'passed,' but snatched the prize for mathematics."
"I am proud of you, Robert, and your father will be pleased," Mrs. Vane said, her fine eyes shining.
"And I'm proud of you, Rob," cried Vera, rushing at him, and clasping her arms about him.
"Hi, Pussy Weather-vane, it's good to have a little sister," said Rob, swinging her around until she was dizzy.
"Are you glad to see me, too?" he asked, laughing at her flushed cheeks, and touzled, flaxen hair.
"Oh, Rob! So glad, even if you do shake me up until I look wild," Vera said, clinging to his arm, and dragging him toward the little guests.
"I dare to say he's the best brother in the world because neither one of you has a brother, so you won't be offended."