“‘Old boy!’ Oh, Elfie! to speak of your father so! How I wish you had a little more veneration!”
“So do I; but as I haven’t, what’s the use of talking? May be though honest affection isn’t a bad substitute.”
“And you have that, Elfie dear, certainly. Here we are,” said Erminie, opening the back hall door leading out on the lawn, where, under the shade of a spreading horse chestnut tree, the neat tea table was set.
Britomarte, Major Fielding and Lieutenant Ethel were already out there.
Young Ethel started with delight on seeing Elfie; but Erminie raised her finger in a warning manner, and he subsided into quietness. Not a word was said about Elfie’s adventure. They sat down at the table.
Erminie poured out the tea. The major gave a description of the friends he had met at an early dinner at Willard’s. And he spoke of his approaching departure to join his regiment.
Lieutenant Ethel announced his own appointment to the command of the gunboat “Thunderbolt,” then lying off the Navy Yard.
While they were still at the table the garden gate opened and Justin entered, smiling.
They all arose eagerly to welcome him. He shook hands with Britomarte and Elfie, and with the two gentlemen, and kissed his sister, and then drew a chair to the table, where room was speedily made for him.
“Why, he wears the captain’s straps!” exclaimed Elfie, in delight.