When Phil Berkeley read the note that was brought to him by the man with the black straw hat, he gave a shout of joy which rang through the house.
“Read that,” he cried to Chap, who had been on the porch, making calculations on a piece of paper, and who now ran in to see what was the matter.
Chap seized the note and read:
“My very dear Phil,—From the bottom of my heart I beg your pardon for the cruel words I wrote you. It was all a mistake. I long to see you again, and shall be with you very soon after you read this.
“Your affectionate uncle,
“Godfrey.”
The joyful news spread rapidly over the place, and in ten minutes Joel was driving a light wagon toward town, to meet Mr. Berkeley and bring him home.
Never was prodigal uncle received more warmly. Phil, of course, was wild with joy. Even if Mr. Berkeley had not returned that day, the note he had received would have made him the happiest boy on earth.
Chap was a good deal more overjoyed than if one of his own uncles had arrived, and Susan’s face had not been so radiant for many a year.
Even Mr. Muller, possessed with the pervading spirit, could scarcely resist welcoming Mr. Berkeley to Hyson Hall. But as he had not the slightest right to do so, he kept discreetly in the background and smiled his gratification.
During supper, and long after the meal was over, the talking, the questioning, and the explanations went on. There was so much to ask and to tell that there seemed to be no end to it all. Mr. Muller went to bed early, for he had done a great deal of walking that day. Chap would have been glad to sit up all night to talk and listen, but, after a time, he discreetly followed the example of Mr. Muller.