He searched his pockets reluctantly.
"No, I must have lost it. Does it matter very much?"
Leslie laughed softly.
"I don't know; but one generally likes to know what is in a letter."
"Well, then, I wish I could find it. I told the postman when he gave it to me that I should probably lose it, and that he had better bring it on to the house; but—well, I don't think he understood me. I often think that we speak an unknown language to these country people."
"Perhaps he did not hear you," said Leslie. "Sometimes, you know, dear, you think you have spoken when you have not uttered a word, but only thought."
"I dare say," he assented, dreamily. "Now I come to think of it, I fancy Duncombe said he was coming down here——."
The slender white hands which had been touching the keys caressingly stopped.
"Coming here, papa!"