“He did catch a passing steamer though,” said Gloria. “Wait, I’ll run up and get the letter.” Presently they were both poring over its contents. When they reached that clause referring to Gloria’s new school, and had read the line inquiring with deep solicitude, concerning how she liked it at the seminary, there came an ominous pause.
Mrs. Towers left the room. Gloria tried vainly to divert her uncle’s interest, but he was plainly indignant.
“Do you mean to say,” he asked, “that your dad doesn’t know you are here?”
“No, Uncle Charley, he doesn’t,” said Gloria, miserably.
“Why?”
“He—would not have—gone.”
“And you wanted him to—go as much as all that?”
“Yes.”
“I see.” He turned over the letter and looked away from the black eyes pleading with him to understand.
“Yes, Gloria,” he said. “I do understand. You are a great little girl!”