Half an hour later dinner was announced, and Carl, having removed the stains of travel in his schoolmate’s room, descended to the dining-room, and, it must be confessed, did ample justice to the bounteous repast spread before him.
In the afternoon Julia, Gilbert and he played tennis, and had a trial at archery. The hours glided away very rapidly, and six o’clock came before they were aware.
“Gilbert,” said Carl, as they were preparing for tea, “you have a charming home.”
“You have a nice house, too, Carl.”
“True; but it isn’t a home—to me. There is no love there.”
“That makes a great difference.”
“If I had a father and mother like yours I should be happy.”
“You must stay here till day after tomorrow, and I will devote to-morrow to a visit in your interest to your home. I will beard the lion in his den—that is, your stepmother. Do you consent?”
“Yes, I consent; but it won’t do any good.”
“We will see.”