“Resume your seat and wait for my return,” said Mr. Campbell as he left the study.
He went first into the parlor.
Hetty was still sitting there alone. Jennie was still with her baby in the bedroom.
“Who was that, Jim? A man come to serve you with a writ of eviction?” inquired Hetty mischievously.
“Hardly, my dear. But I am sure you will be happy to hear who it was.”
“Who was it, then?”
“Elspeth Longman’s prodigal son returned.”
“Oh-h-h, Jim!” exclaimed Hetty, jumping up, her face perfectly radiant with benevolent delight.
“Yes, dear. And now, if you please, I will take you to see him in the study, where you can talk to him while I go and break these ‘glad tidings of great joy’ to the poor, long-suffering mother.”
“Oh, yes! I would love to go! What is the boy like?”