“Yes,” said Fred; “he’s in there.”
“Hey?”
“I say he’s in there,” roared the young man.
“I wish you wouldn’t shout so, my lad,” said the old man sourly. “I don’t want the drums of my ears split. I could hear what you said. And how is the dear, good man, eh?”
“Same as usual,” replied Fred, with a grin.
“Ah!” said Hopper, “you ought to be a very good young man, having such a step-father.”
“I am,” replied Fred.
“Hey?”
“I say I am,” shouted Fred.
“So I suppose,” said the old fellow, chuckling, and looking at him with a strange expression of countenance. “Well, tell him I want to see him.”