"But—but, Perceval, I don't know your people," said Herbert.
"What does that matter? We know each other; and I want you to see my tame rat, and old Growler, our watch-dog. Oh! There's heaps of things I want to show you; and as my father is a doctor, he may be able to give you something for the headache you have so often."
"Thank you; it is kind of you to think of me when you are away."
A day or two later, Dr. Staples told Herbert he had received an invitation from Dr. Perceval for Herbert to go home with his son on the Saturday, and stay until the Monday. "I am very glad to hear, Milner, that there has been a decided improvement in the way your lessons have been prepared since I spoke to you. If there had not been, I should have felt it my duty to decline this invitation for you. But as it is, I will see that you have the same opportunity of preparing Saturday lessons that Perceval has; and I have no doubt the change will do you good."
Herbert thanked Dr. Staples; but he was not sure that he cared very much to go home with his friend. He did not know Dr. or Mrs. Perceval; and there were some sisters, he knew; and Herbert was shy of sisters, even if they were ever so nice.
But he did not say this to his friend. Perceval seemed delighted at the thought of taking him home; and so, for his sake, he tried to feel pleased too, little dreaming what a great surprise awaited him in this stranger's home.
The gig came at two o'clock, with John the coachman to drive; and Edward Perceval asked all sorts of questions about his father and mother, and all the family of sisters, and the four-footed pets that were kept in the stable and outhouse, under John's care during the week.
Dr. Perceval was out visiting some of his patients when the boys arrived; but the afternoon passed quickly enough in visiting all the animals that the Percevals kept about the stable and barns. It was, in fact, a small farmyard, for every animal was a pet of somebody's, and by no means a common sort of cow, or goat, or dog, or horse, the children having invested them each and all with an individuality that made it a peculiar treasure, and quite a privilege, to be the owner of such a superior beast.
They teased and chaffed each other about their particular pets, in a way that perfectly amazed Herbert, although he could see it was all good-natured banter.
When the doctor came home and joined them in that most delightful of meals—high tea—they, one and all, turned to him and asked after this patient and that, as though these were another set of pets in which they were equally interested.