"You are so much changed, Tom; I should hardly have known you," exclaimed the old lady, trying to conceal her disappointment and dismay. "England has weaned you away from your own country. You look as if you had just stepped out of Piccadilly."
"And so I have, aunt," replied the young man, using a very broad "a." "I have been in this country only a few months. England is the only place in the world for me, you know. I can't bear America."
Hippy Wingate gave himself an angry shake, which made all the ornaments on the mantelpiece rattle ominously.
"You must let me introduce you to my young friends, Tom," said Mrs. Gray, changing the subject quickly.
The introductions having been accomplished, she took his arm and led the way back to dinner.
"Do you think we can stand him for a week?" whispered David to Grace, as they followed down the hall.
"We'll have to," replied Grace, "or hurt Mrs. Gray's feelings. But isn't he the limit?"
"Asinine dandy!" hissed Hippy.
"I knew he'd be a Miss Nancy," exclaimed Reddy.
The girls did not express their disappointment, but as the meal progressed the conversation was strained and stupid.