“He seems to think he is,” said Tom. “He walks so erect that he bends backward.”
“He has a proper sense of his social position,” said Mrs. Middleton reprovingly.
“So has his son,” said Tom.
A ponderous knock here notified the party that the lawyer had arrived at the front door, and demanded admittance.
Mr. Middleton himself answered the call, and with an air of deference ushered the distinguished visitor into the sitting-room.
“I hope I see you well, Mrs. Middleton,” said the visitor, with stately condescension.
“Thank you, sir; I am not as well as I have been,” said the lady. “I have been subjected to unusual trials during the last twenty-four hours,” she continued, with a side glance at Tom.
“I am sorry to hear it,” said the lawyer. “I regret also to say that I have called this morning on rather an unpleasant matter connected, if I mistake not, with the young man whom I see here.”
“This is Thomas Temple, Squire Davenport, my ward.”
“Indeed! I was not aware that you had a ward.”