"I beg your pardon; yes, if I may. I'll say a friend of ours."
"And yours too, I hope," said Jasper Adelstone to Frank.
"Yes, thank you," answered the boy; but there was a strange, ill-concealed shyness and reluctance in his manner.
Stella drew a chair forward.
"Won't you sit down?" she asked.
He sat down.
"I am afraid I have interrupted you," he said. "Will you go on—do, please?"
Stella glanced at her uncle.
"I am afraid I should wake him," she said.
He looked disappointed.