“He looks very much alive, doesn’t he, Uncle Henry?”
“Yes, yes. And so you enjoyed Europe, did you, Edwin?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ben felt a little awkward as he said this, but he remembered that the old gentleman was feeble-minded and felt that he was justified in humoring the delusion.
“Won’t you stay to lunch, Maria?” asked Mr. Anderson.
“I am sorry we can’t do so, uncle, but Edwin and I have some calls to make.”
“Where are you staying?”
“At the Fifth Avenue Hotel.”
“I should be glad to have you stay here. The house is large enough.”
“I wouldn’t for the world interfere with your quiet ways, uncle. Remember that you are an invalid, and need to have things quiet around you. Edwin is a boy of a lively temperament, and he will feel more comfortable at the hotel.”