The room, though elegant, was dark, and to our hero, who was used to bright, sunny rooms, it seemed a little gloomy. He mentally decided that he would prefer a plain country house; not so plain, indeed, as the little cottage where his mother lived, but as nice, perhaps, as the superintendent's house, which was the finest in the village, and the most magnificent he had until this time known. Its glories were wholly eclipsed by the house he was in, but Robert thought he would prefer it. While he was looking about him, Mr. Morgan entered, and his warm and cordial manner made his boy guest feel quite at his ease.
"I must make you acquainted with my wife and children," he said. "They have heard of you, and are anxious to see you."
Mrs. Morgan gave Robert a reception as warm as her husband had done.
"So this is the young hero of whom I have heard!" she said.
"I am afraid you give me too much credit," said Robert, modestly.
This modest disclaimer produced a still more favorable impression upon both Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.
I do not propose to speak in detail of the dinner that followed. The merchant and his wife succeeded in making Robert feel entirely at home, and he displayed an ease and self-possession wholly free from boldness that won their good opinion.
When the dinner was over, Mr. Morgan commenced:
"Now, Robert, dinner being over, let us come to business. Tell me your plans, and I will consider how I can promote them."
In reply, Robert communicated the particulars, already known to the reader, of his father's letter, his own conviction of his still living, and his desire to go in search of him.