“Mother,” said he, opening the door of the sitting-room, “here is Colonel Ross.”
“Take a seat, Colonel Ross,” said the widow, politely.
Colonel Ross seated himself deliberately in a chair near his wife’s uncle.
“Glad to see you, Mr. Ross,” said Uncle Obed, thinking the visit was meant for him. “You’re very kind to look in on an old man.”
“I—well, my visit this evening has a different object.”
“Oh, come to see Mrs. Gilbert! Well, how’s Lucinda?”
“Mrs. Ross is enjoying her usual health,” said Colonel Ross, ceremoniously.
“Glad to hear it,” said the old man. “She hasn’t called on me yet, though I’m the only relation she’s got within a thousand miles.”
“Mrs. Ross is very much occupied,” said her husband, coldly. “However, you will excuse me if I proceed to the object of my visit. I regret to say that last evening the trunk in which I keep a part of my securities was opened, and two government bonds abstracted.”
“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Mr. Wilkins, really surprised. “When did it happen?”