By that time Freddy was greeting his step-mother, who explained that she and her husband meant to stay at B— for a short while before returning to Marldon Court for Christmas.
"Are you going to take me home with you?" Freddy inquired eagerly.
"Yes, certainly," Mrs. Collins answered with a smile.
"I am glad," Freddy whispered confidentially. "And yet for some reasons I shall be sorry to go; they've all been very kind to me here, and I like town life better than I did at first. But I am longing to see all my pets again, and it will be nice to be with father—and you."
It was not very long before Edwin returned, followed shortly by his father, and in the general excitement caused by Mr. and Mrs. Collins' presence, Claude forgot for the time all about the doctor's old overcoat. Freddy did not forget it, however, and every minute he was expecting Claude to mention it.
Mr. Collins had engaged rooms for his wife and himself at an hotel, but they readily consented to spend the evening at the doctor's house when they saw how much every one wished them to remain.
The Dennis children were charmed with their new aunt, and Poppy no longer wondered that Freddy liked and admired her.
"Freddy has grown," Mr. Collins remarked, regarding his son with affectionate eyes. "So you like going to school, my boy?"
"Yes, father—now; I hated it at first," was the frank response. "I shall be sorry to leave."
"Perhaps you will not have to leave altogether; I may be able to persuade your aunt to let you live here during term-time, and return to Marldon Court for the holidays. That would be pleasanter for you than going to boarding-school, which is the only alternative, as there is no school for you to attend at Marldon."