"Kiss your aunt, Chester," said his father.
"No, it is not necessary," put in Miss Holbrook sharply. "I don't want any hypocritical caresses. Robert, I am afraid you are spoiling that boy."
"Oh, no, Maria, not quite so bad as that. Chester is a middling good boy."
Miss Maria Holbrook sniffed incredulously.
"I am afraid you judge him too leniently," she said.
"Well, you can tell better after you have had time to observe him. It is two years now since you have seen Chester."
"Let us hope that my first impressions may be modified," said the spinster in a tone that indicated great doubt whether such would be the case.
"Jed, you may go. Chester will not need you any more this evening," said Mr. Holbrook.
"Thank you, sir," said Jed, and walked away.
"Who is that boy?" asked the spinster abruptly, looking at him through her eyeglasses.