“You seem to have forgotten, mother,” said Chester, “that June and Dick are quite well acquainted. They met for the first time several years ago at Fardale.”
“Fardale—that’s the place where you attended school, I think you told me. It was your father’s choice to send you there, was it not? Seems to me I opposed it; and that, I presume, was the reason why I never cared to visit you at Fardale.”
She had spent months at Fardale!
Unobserved by Mrs. Arlington, Chester and Dick exchanged glances. Although Chet was smiling, Dick knew that deep down in his heart there was hidden a great sorrow for the affliction of his mother.
“My daughter is a very charming young lady,” Mrs. Arlington continued. “In a way, I am quite as proud of her as I am of my fine, manly boy. Few mothers are blessed with such children.”
“Few indeed,” agreed Dick, accepting the chair which Chester had placed beside that of Mrs. Arlington. “I quite agree with you, madam.”
“You see, mother,” laughed Chester, “Merriwell is something of a flatterer.”
“I am sure it is not flattery. I see nothing but sincerity in his face and eyes. Is he interested in your business affairs, my son?”
“Oh, no, indeed. He is still a student at college. He’s the pride of old Yale, the college I would have attended had circumstances permitted.”
A slight frown of perplexity settled upon her forehead.