“Tie him up to this tree,” said Maggie.
“No, no, better take him to the house,” said Frank; “it would make him savage to tie him up.”
When the ninth bottle of champagne had been opened, and the supper table was noisy, Frank whispered to Maggie, “Did you ever see Macbeth?”
“Yes, but why?”
“Because I can't help thinking what a splendid occasion it would be for Banquo's ghost to appear.”
Maggie pressed his hand and laughed.
Soon after the sound of wheels was heard. Grace turned pale, Sally said: “Who would have thought it?” A moment after Mr. Brookes, with Berkins and Willy behind him, entered. He stood amazed, and seeing that the tears were mounting to his eyes, Maggie said: “Father, how tired and faint you look. We thought you wouldn't be coming home to-night. Do sit down and have a glass of wine.” But neither winning words nor ways could soothe this storm, and in reply to a question from Berkins, Mr. Brookes declared passionately that he knew none of the young men who came to his house.