“I—I came to see the place,” faltered I.
“The place,” repeated she, in a tone which betokened more displeasure or disappointment than surprise.
“Will you not enter it, then?”
“If you wish it.”
“Can you doubt?”
“Yes, yes! he must enter,” cried Arthur, running round from the other door; and seizing my hand in both his, he shook it heartily.
“Do you remember me, sir?” said he.
“Yes, full well, my little man, altered though you are,” replied I, surveying the comparatively tall, slim young gentleman, with his mother’s image visibly stamped upon his fair, intelligent features, in spite of the blue eyes beaming with gladness, and the bright locks clustering beneath his cap.
“Am I not grown?” said he, stretching himself up to his full height.
“Grown! three inches, upon my word!”