"How well you look, my dear! Have you been having a good time, you gipsy?"
"Yes, father. What made you come here? When did you arrive? Are you staying at the hotel?"
"Yes. I came especially to see you. We, that is myself and a friend, arrived about two hours ago. We spent last night at Bude. Perhaps we may stay here a few days, if you are very nice to my friend."
He laughed, seeming in unusually bright spirits, Muriel thought. She looked puzzled.
"Have you seen Mrs. Jones, father?" she asked.
"Yes, she was here a minute or so before you came in, but has gone upstairs to her own room to lie down, as she is suffering from headache."
"I came home to see how she was."
"I would not disturb her now; she said if she could get a nap she would awake better. You can come back to the hotel with me, and be introduced to my friend, whom, by the way, I hope you will like."
"Had I not better change my frock, and put on a hat first?"
He glanced at the little serge-clad figure, and the scarlet cap surmounting the golden curls, with more than usual interest, there was even a tenderness in his regard.