“Is Mr. Berkeley in?” asked the visitor, taking off his hat.
“No, sir,” answered Philip, “he is not.”
“Can you tell me when he will be here? Do you expect him to-night?”
“No,” said Philip, “he will not be home to-night, and I can’t tell you just when he will return.”
“That’s curious,” said the man. “I’d ’a’ thought he’d told you what time he’d be back.”
“Is there anything I can do for you?” asked Phil, not caring to pursue the previous subject any further.
“No,” said the man, “I don’t think there is. Is there any grown person about the house that I can speak to?”
This remark nettled Phil.
“No,” said he, “there is no grown person here. My uncle left me in charge of the place, and if you have anything to say, you can say it to me.”
“I hardly think I will,” said the man, putting on his hat. “I guess I’ll call again some time.”