"I suppose Mrs. Merton went to bed long ago, Laura," said Mrs. Tracy.
"No, ma'am, she set up later than usual."
"That is odd. I thought she would feel lonely."
"Oh, she had company, ma'am."
"Company! Who?"
"Master Luke was here all the evenin', and a young man with him."
Mrs. Tracy frowned ominously.
"The sly young artful!" she said to Harold when they were alone. "He is trying all he can to get on aunt's weak side. Something will have to be done, or we shall be left out in the cold."