“You, Tom?”
“Something that will surprise you very much.”
“What is it, Tom?” asked his mother, anxiously. “Not bad news?”
“No, good news. Do you think you can bear it?”
“Bear good news! Why shouldn’t I?”
“I met an old friend in California—one whom we all thought to be dead. He has come home with me.”
“An old friend? I can’t think whom you mean, Tom,” said his mother, with a puzzled expression.
“We thought,” continued Tom, slowly, “that he died in California eight—nine years ago.”
“What can you mean, Tom?” asked his mother, in deep agitation, for she began to suspect the truth.
Tom’s answer was to open the outer door again, and call: