Thither they accordingly repaired, and found Miss Warren in conversation with a tall, fierce-looking old gentleman who was seated in an easy-chair.
"Ah, Sir Richard, I thought you would soon be here to see your grandson," the doctor remarked easily. "Dick, my boy, this is Sir Richard Gidley, your grandfather."
Dick advanced towards the old gentleman till he stood directly in front of him; then he looked him full in the face in silence for a moment, noticing how stern was his expression, and how his white moustache bristled at the ends.
"How do you do, grandfather?" said Dick politely after this brief scrutiny of the other's countenance. "I hope you are very well."
He held out his hand, which his grandfather took in silence. The old man surveyed the boy critically from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, then he exclaimed, "Humph!"
Miss Warren, who appeared nervous and ill at ease, flushed a trifle angrily, and was about to speak, when her brother anticipated her by saying,—
"Dick has been in poor health, as I believe you have been informed, Sir Richard, therefore you must not be disappointed if he appears delicate. He will be a different boy in a few month's time, you will see."
"Did I say I was disappointed?" snapped Sir Richard, evidently displeased that his face had betrayed his thought.
"No; but you looked it," the doctor retorted bluntly.
"You are eight years old, I think," Sir Richard said, turning his attention to his grandson again. "You don't look it. Your father was inches taller at your age."