When Mr. Wharton reached home, he entered the library and rang the bell.
To the servant who answered he said:
“Is Mr. John at home?”
“Yes, sir; he came in ten minutes ago.”
“Tell him I wish to see him at once in the library. Summon the housekeeper, also.”
Surprised at the summons, John Wade answered it directly. He and Mrs. Bradley met at the door and entered together. Their surprise and dismay may be conjectured when they saw our hero seated beside Mr. Wharton, dressed like a young gentleman.
“John Wade,” said his uncle, sternly, “the boy whom you malign, the boy you have so deeply wronged, has found a permanent home in this house.”
“What, sir! you take him back?”
“I do. There is no more fitting place for him than the house of his grandfather.”
“His grandfather!” exclaimed his nephew and the housekeeper, in chorus.