"Thank you, Miss Dudley; I am always glad to come here. It is so pleasant and social compared with——"
He paused, thinking it not in good taste to refer unfavorably to his own home.
"I understand," said Miss Dudley. "You must be lonely at home."
"I am," said Oliver briefly.
"Not much company, and that poor," whispered Frank.
Oliver nodded assent.
Here Carrie Dudley appeared and cordially welcomed Oliver.
"Carrie seems glad to see you, Oliver," saidFrank; "but you must not feel too much elated. It's only on account of your relationship to Roland. She's perfectly infatuated with that boy."
Like most brothers, Frank liked to tease his sister.
"Roland!" repeated Carrie, tossing her head. "I hope I have better taste than to like him."