And then with a shout for Dudley, a minute after he was tearing round the house, showing his pet mice to all, and chattering away as if he had not a care upon him.
General Newton arrived soon after and took a more cheering view of his ward's appearance than had his grandmother.
"You'll grow into a splendid fellow yet," he said, patting him on the shoulder, "and you'll out-top your cousin. Have you been in many scrapes lately?"
"They're good boys on the whole," replied Miss Bertram, smiling; "except when they try to be philanthropists, and then they come to grief."
"Oh, that's the last idea, is it? When I was here before they were going to be travelling peddlers. Have you made a choice of any profession yet, either of you?"
"Yes, I'm going to be a traveller and discoverer," said Roy, with decision.
"Oh, indeed! Then you've still the love for exploration. How is your friend old Principle? Is he still unearthing wonders and keeping them in his kettles?"
"He is busy in a cave now," said Dudley, eagerly; "would you like to come and see it one day?"
"No, thank you. And are you lads still devoted friends?"
"David and Jonathan, still," said Miss Bertram; and the old general laughed heartily.