"Father!"
"Sit down, all o' you! I'm a bit excited, I fear! Peter! Peter!"
"You'll have to call louder than that, Major. Peter's in a stall at the race track stables this minute, mothering The Prince."
While the Major was speaking John had been standing by Julia's side, looking at the returned wanderer. He saw a man much like Major Dudley in height and build, with long white hair and a silvery beard which swept his chest. His face was tanned, his eyes keen, and his voice pleasant, though a trifle loud.
"So he is, doctor—and tomorrow's the day! There's so much to tell and so much to listen to. Arthur, we'll spend the remainder of our days talking and listening. But the juleps! Here, Julia, you're even better than Peter at this decoction. Make us three, child. I know your uncle's tired. Take a chair, doctor—"
But Glenning was already in the hall following swiftly in the train of the young lady commissioned to mix the drinks. He overtook her at the door between the library and dining-room. She heard him in pursuit, and turned there to smile at him.
"Oh, I'm so glad you've come!" he exclaimed, taking her two hands and looking down into her eyes. "You have been away ages!"
"So long?" she laughed archly; "did you miss me?"
She wrested herself free and ran to the old side-board, where the decanters and sugar sat. He was by her side on the instant.
"Can it not be tonight?" he pleaded. "Will—your uncle's coming interfere?"