"I fear, Doctor, it has exceeded me as well. Jack is not to be trusted on all subjects. But, indeed, I thank you for your hospitality; it was a godsend to me."
As we entered the living room, Polly came forward and I presented Jarvis to her.
"You are more than welcome, Mr. Jarvis! Jack's 'best friend' is certain of a warm corner at our fireside."
"Madam, I find no word of thanks, but I do thank you. I have envied Jack his home letters and the evidences of mother care more than anything else,—and God knows there are enough other things to envy him for. I have no mother, and my father is too busy to pay much attention to me. I wish you would adopt me; I'll try to rival Jack in all that is dutiful."
She did adopt him then and there, for who could refuse such a son! Brown hair, brown eyes, brown skin, a frank, rugged, clean-shaven face, features strong enough to excite criticism and good enough to bear it; broad-shouldered, deep-chested, strong in arm and limb, he carried his six feet of manhood like an Apollo in tweeds. He was introduced to the girls,—the men he knew,—but he was not so quick in his speeches to them. Our Hercules was only mildly conscious of his merits, and was evidently relieved when Jack hurried him off to his room to dress for dinner. When he was fairly out of hearing there was a chorus of comments. The girls all declaimed him handsome, and the boys said:—
"That isn't the best of it,—he's a trump! Wait till you know him."
Jane was too loyal to Jack to admit that his friend was any handsomer or in any way a finer fellow than her brother.
"Who said he was?" said Frank, "Jack Williams is out and out the finest man I know. We were sizing him up by such fellows as Phil and me."
"Jack's the most popular man at Yale," said Phil, "but he's too modest to know it; Jarvis will tell you so. He thinks it's a great snap to have Jack for his chum."
These things were music in my ears, for I was quite willing to agree with the boys, and the mother's eyes were full of joy as she led the way to the dining room. That was a jolly meal. Nothing was said that could be remembered, and yet we all talked a great deal and laughed a great deal more. City, country, farm, college, and seminary were touched with merry jests. Light wit provoked heavy laughter, and every one was the better for it. It was nine o'clock before we left the table. I heard Jarvis say:—