Mrs. Baird made the introductions and then turned to leave them. Before she closed the door she said:
“Girls, if you have been at this all the afternoon, I think you might be excused from study hour.” Then to Polly she added: “I’ll send tea to the reception-room at once.”
Of course Uncle Roddy insisted on “the companies” joining them for tea. Miss Porter had to decline the invitation on account of a special class at 4:30, but Betty and Lois accepted with pleasure.
After they were comfortably settled in the reception-room, Uncle Roddy asked:
“Miss Farwell, are you, by any chance, related to Doctor Walter Farwell?”
“I should think so,” laughed Lois. “I’m his daughter. Do you know him?”
“I used to go to college with him. We were great pals, then, but after we graduated he went West and I went to England, and we lost track of each other.”
“I’ll write him about you this very night,” answered Lois excitedly. “Isn’t it fun to think you know each other?”
Uncle Roddy smiled. “I’d like to see old Walter again,” he said.
The tea arrived and Polly served. Every one did justice to it and the hot buttered toast.