"He's here!" he announced, in much the tone of voice he might have used in speaking of the advent of a formidable enemy.

"Who's here? Oh, that boy! Where is he?" asked Sarah.

"In the hall—he will be a great disappointment to you."

"He won't be a disappointment to me. I never took any stock in him at any time."

"He is wholly without manners. Kept on his hat, and took me for a butler!"

Sarah laughed outright. "What a droll little lad!" she said.

"Do you think it 'droll' for a young jackanapes to insult me?"

"No insult about it," replied Sarah, whose feelings toward the visitor seemed to have taken a sudden change. "Natural mistake—your outlandish clothes——"

"'Outlandish clothes!'" gasped the General.

"That is what I said," answered Sarah, composedly.