"Who calls so loud?" quoted the professor innocently, appearing with startling suddenness from behind the boulder. "Why!" in amazed recognition. "It is Aunt Caroline!"
"It is." Aunt Caroline corroborated grimly.
"This is a surprise," exclaimed the professor. As we have noted before, he liked to be truthful when possible. "How'd'do, Aunt! However did you get here?"
"How I came," replied Aunt Caroline, "is not material. The fact that I am here is sufficient."
"Quite," said Benis. "But," he added in a puzzled tone, "you are not alone. Surely, my dear Aunt, I see——"
"You see Dr. Rogers who has kindly accompanied me."
"John Rogers here? With you?" In rising amazement.
"It is a detail." Aunt Caroline's voice was somewhat tart. "I could scarcely travel unaccompanied."
"Surely not. But really—was there no lady friend—"
"Don't be absurd, Benis!" But she was obscurely conscious of a check. Against the disturbed surprise of her nephew's attitude her sharpened weapons had already turned an edge. Only one person can talk at a time, and, to her intense indignation, she found herself displaced as the attacking party. Also the behavior of her auxiliary force was distinctly apologetic.