“No,” said Herbert; “at present he is dancing attendance on Grace Raymond, his adored ladylove.”
Walter laughed and said: “Ah, yes, that’s all right; Grace is a dear, sweet girl—a beauty, too; and except for the odd mixing up of relationships and the fact that she is delicate, I should be delighted with the prospective match.”
“I also,” said his mother. “I am very fond of Grace; have loved her ever since my first sight of her sweet face. I can see that she loves Harold dearly, yet is perfectly submissive to her father’s will in regard to the time of their marriage. Nor does Harold rebel, though it is plain to be seen that he longs for the time when he may claim her as his very own.”
“Yes, mother. Well, I hope he will prescribe early retirement for his ladylove to-night and hasten home to greet his youngest brother, whom he has not seen for nearly a year.”
“I presume he has done so; for here he comes now, walking up the avenue,” exclaimed Herbert, glancing in that direction.
At that Walter sprang to his feet and hastened forward to meet Harold as he came up the veranda steps.
“Howdy’do, doctor?” he cried with a pleasant laugh. “I hope you’ve left that pretty patient of yours doing well.”
“Why, Walter, my man, I’m glad to see you and know that, young as you are, you’ve travelled home safely by yourself,” responded Harold, reaching the top step and grasping heartily the hand held out to him.
“How do you know that I travelled by myself?” laughed Walter. “Are you quite sure I may not have a ladylove and future father-in-law as well as yourself?”