The lady of the mansion gave him a close look, and was evidently reassured by his gentlemanly appearance.
“If you will be so kind.”
Without waiting further, Frank opened the nearest window again and stepped into the house. Then he hurried around to the front door, and threw it open. A fierce gust of wind tore through the mansion, and all who were on the piazza hurried inside.
“Excuse me while I look after the windows,” said the lady. “Come, Marie, run to the top of the house, and close everything. The storm is growing very severe.”
Frank took a seat in the hallway, and one of the little boys came up to him.
“We were on a picnic in the woods with mamma,” said he. “We were just having a beautiful time when it began to rain, and John had to drive us home.”
“You were lucky to get home so soon,” answered Frank, pleasantly. “See how it is pouring.”
“And, oh, how the wind is blowing!” put in one of the little girls. “I’m sure it will blow a tree down if it keeps up like that.”
Frank heard a number of windows being shut, and then the lady of the place rejoined him, and invited him into the parlor.
“I left the house in charge of one of my servants,” she explained. “I told her not to go away, but she has disobeyed me. She has a cousin living half a mile from here.”