'You saw him lowered, Van?'
'Yes, mother.'
'Then go and wash yourself, for you are dirty, and then come and take your place at the head of the table.'
'Must I sit here, mother?'
'Without a doubt—you must. You know your room. Quick!'
In this manner their first interview passed.
Mrs. Fiske rushed in to exclaim:
'So, you were right, aunt—he has come. I met him on the stairs. Oh! how like dear uncle Mel he looks, in the militia, with that moustache. I just remember him as a child; and, oh, what a gentleman he is!'
At the end of the sentence Mrs. Mel's face suddenly darkened: she said, in a deep voice:
'Don't dare to talk that nonsense before him, Ann.'