"Butler," said May, "will you tell General Haines that Ma—Gay Walcott is here?"
"Butler!" thundered the General, for of course it was he. "You young scapegrace, what do you mean by such impudence?"
"It was a mistake. I beg your pardon, sir."
This apology, made in May's most deferential manner, did not appease the General's wrath. He immediately detected a fresh cause for offense.
"Where is your hat?" he demanded, with a fierce frown. "Bless me! A Walcott to keep on his hat in the presence of a superior!"
May pulled off the offending tarpaulin and made a prim little bow, but the General ignored this tardy evidence of breeding and walked away, leaving his abashed young visitor alone in the great oak hall.
CHAPTER VI
BEING A BOY
Sarah and Phyllis were in the dining-room when the General burst in.