"Well, I never!" laughed Tom. "Say, was that—of course it had to be—improvised?"
"Oh, Phyl is a genius," said Jessamy, proudly. "One of these days her name will be in all the magazines, and at last in the encyclopedia."
"And maybe in oblivion," added Phyl. "What time do you—do we dine, Doctor Leighton?"
"At six; I suppose you want to get ready. It is your first appearance in a boarding-house dining-room; you must make a strong impression."
"Yes, and only look at my court-plaster! Nixie, your first impression was too strong," groaned Bab.
"You mustn't let Nixie bother you; he'll try to be friendly," warned Tom.
"Let him, and his master, too," said Mrs. Wyndham, heartily. "You will both cheer us, and I appreciate your kindness very fully."
"Not a bit kindness, ma'am," said Tom, promptly. "I tell you, you don't know how forlorn a boy is alone in a boarding-house. It does me good to get a home breath again."
"We'll help each other if we can," said Mrs. Wyndham, gently. "You can't be more than a year or so older than my girls, and a nice boy will be a welcome addition to storm-tossed lassies' lives."