“He’s a friend worth having. Now we can await Mr. Grubb’s call without anxiety.”
CHAPTER XXX.
BEN’S PROGRESS.
Basil Wentworth returned home at the time set. He had been accustomed to occupy a room at the house of his uncle, and he repaired there at once.
When the first greetings were over, he said, “I am anxious to meet Maria and Edwin.”
“I have just received a note from the Fifth Avenue Hotel which I will show you. It should have reached me on Saturday.”
It ran thus:
“Dear Uncle:
“I have just received news from England that obliges me to sail thither at once with Edwin. I am disappointed, as it will prevent my meeting Basil, who you told me is expected on Monday. Please remember me kindly to him, and tell him that I may be able to return to America in a few months, in which case I shall of course see him. I should be very lonely if it were not for Edwin, though I may place him at school. I am glad to say that he has fully recovered from his illness, and as you can testify from seeing him, he is now the picture of health.
“I will write you from England.
“Your affectionate niece,
“Maria Harcourt.”
Basil read this letter attentively.
“Maria’s departure seems very sudden,” he said.