Chapter Twenty Six.

Forearmed as well as Forewarned.

“Who is it?” said my father.

“Bigley Uggleston,” I replied, feeling very awkward.

“Oh, come in, my lad,” said my father quietly; and as I held the door back for him to enter, it suddenly struck me what a frank, handsome-looking fellow he had grown.

I felt more awkward still, for it seemed to me that I was going to listen to some very unpleasant remarks about our companionship being broken off; but to my surprise my father said quietly:

“Come after Sep?”

“Yes, sir. I thought if he was not busy—”