“Is this the bugler’s first visit to your place, captain?” asked Croly.
“I really do not remember having heard his bugle about here before,” was the reply in a meditative tone, “but I do not imagine him a person likely to do any harm.”
“Why, there is the hack from Union turning in at the great gates!” exclaimed Lulu. “We must be going to have a visitor.”
It came rapidly up the drive and paused before the entrance; the door was thrown open, and a rather young-looking man alighted, the captain at the same time rising from his chair and stepping forward to greet him.
“Captain Raymond?” the stranger said inquiringly, lifting his hat as he spoke.
At that Mr. Lilburn sprang to his feet and came forward, exclaiming, “What, Hugh, my mon, is it you?” grasping the young man’s hand and giving it a hearty shake. “It’s one o’ my sons, captain,” turning glad, shining eyes upon his host. “I was not expecting him, for he had given me no warning of his coming.”
“You are very welcome, sir,” said the captain, taking the hand of the young man in a cordial grasp.
At that Grandma Elsie, Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, and Violet hastened forward with like greetings and expressions of pleasure at seeing him again after the lapse of years since their weeks of friendly intercourse at the sea-shore.
“But you should be my guest, cousin,” said Mrs. Travilla. “We shall be going home presently, and will be most happy to have you accompany us.”
“Oh, no, mother, it will not do for you to rob us of our guest so promptly,” said Captain Raymond.