"It comes awkwardly to an American to use it, and you are already half an American."
"What shall I call you, then?"
"You may call me Mr. Grant, if you like. If you come to know me better, you may call me Cecil. I shall take the liberty, since you are a boy, to call you Scott."
As he spoke there was a winning smile upon his face, and Scott felt that he should like him.
"I will try to forget that you are an earl," he said, "and then I shall feel more at home with you."
"What do you say to a walk, Scott? The evening is too fine to spend here."
"I shall be delighted."
He put on his hat, and the two sauntered off together. They were both good walkers, and had covered several miles before they returned to the hotel.
"I wish I had met you before, Scott," said the earl, familiarly. "Won't you tell me something about yourself, and your history? I am sure you have one."