But old Aaron Rockharrt understood only an humble and suitable apology.
"Have you breakfasted?" he inquired in a modified tone.
"No, sir; and I am as hungry as a wolf—I mean I took the first train down this morning without waiting for breakfast."
The Iron King, whose glare had cut short the first half of the young man's reply, now rang, and when the waiter appeared, gave the necessary orders.
And soon Sylvanus was seated at the table, sharing the morning meal of his family.
"Now that my brother has joined us shall we leave for North End to-day, grandfather?" inquired Cora, as they all arose from breakfast.
"No; nor need you make any suggestions of the sort. When I am ready to go home, I will tell you. I have business to transact before I leave New York," gruffly replied the family bear.
Rose Stillwater took up one of the morning papers and ran her eyes down column after column, over page after page. Presently she came to the item she was so anxiously looking for:
"The Very Reverend the Dean of Olivet left the city last evening by the steamer Nighthawk for Boston."
With a sigh of relief she laid the paper down.