By this time Captain Edney, seeing Frank with his friends, came towards them. Frank hastened to hide his emotion; and, saluting the officer respectfully, said to him, with a glow of pleasure:—
"Captain Edney, this is my mother."
Captain Edney lifted his cap, with a bright smile.
"Well," he said, "this is a meeting I rather think neither of us ever looked forward to, when we used to spend those long summer days in the old schoolhouse, which I hope you remember."
"I remember it well—and one bright-faced boy in particular," said Mrs. Manly, pressing his hand cordially.
"A rather mischievous boy, I am afraid I was; a little rebel myself, in those days," said the captain.
"Yet a boy that I always hoped much good of," said Mrs. Manly. "I cannot tell you how gratified I am to feel that my son is entrusted in your hands."
"You may be sure I will do what I can for him," said the captain, "if only to repay your early care of me."
He then conversed a few moments with Mr. Manly, who was always well satisfied to stand a little in the background, and let his wife have her say first.
"And this, I suppose, is Frank's sister," turning to Helen. "I should have known her, I think, for she looks so much as you used to, Mrs. Manly, that I can almost fancy myself stepping up to her with my slate, and saying, 'Please, ma'am, show me about this sum?'"