"Really, Star, it is too bad of you to give me such a turn! How can I open the door? Pray come in directly, and tell me what is the matter."
He boggled at the lock for a minute or two, but at last admitted himself.
"Why, Star, how frightened you look! Have you been flogged at last? and is the master home already?"
"No, no, Charles! Something most extraordinary."
I really could but laugh, the child repeated the words with such an awe.
"A gentleman, Charles, has come. He opened my door while I was practising. I should have been dreadfully frightened, but he was so kind, and came in so gently. He thought you were here, Charles, and asked for you; he says he does not know your name, but that he could tell me whether you were here if I would describe you. I said how pale you were, with such dark eyes, and about your playing, and he said,—
"'All right, go and fetch him, or send him to me: will you be so kind?'"
"How could you be quite sure? It may be some one for Iskar, who is pale, and has dark eyes."
"He said it was the violin that came at Christmas, I was to send; and you came at Christmas. Besides, he looks very like a friend you would have; he is not like anybody else."
"What is he like, Star?"