“Very sad, indeed, sir,” replied Alexander, lugubriously.
“It must have shocked you terribly,” said the old soldier.
“Ah!” exclaimed Alexander.
“Well, well, it can’t be helped, I suppose.”
“I shall do all I can in the premises, sir.”
“Oh, no doubt, no doubt. Come, my dear Anna, let us get on. Alick, come home with us to dinner.”
Alexander would have made excuses. He was not dressed for dinner, he said. He had no means of making his toilet.
But his uncle cut him short.
“Nonsense, man, nonsense. Who expects you to be in full dress to-day? You are a traveller, just arrived in the city. You have left your luggage at the station, and you have not even engaged rooms yet. Besides—at a hotel table, who cares how you are dressed? Come along. There! give Anna your arm, and take her to the carriage.”
What could Alick do?