The old lady was so excited that both her hands and voice trembled. She came near crying when she first saw Miles, but she greeted him exactly as she had the twins. There was a game of Fish Pond on the center table.
“Now, boys,” she said, “try your luck.”
They all drew up to the table, Sydney taking a rod, too. The old lady stood looking on behind Miles’s chair. Presently she went out into the back room and in a few minutes returned, accompanied by a gentleman who did not look to be over thirty-seven. He was dressed very handsomely and his resemblance to Miles was striking.
“Mr. Darley, boys,” said Mrs. Fox, as the two came up to the table. “Go right on with your fishing; we will watch you.”
She had taken up her stand this time behind Rex, who was sitting just opposite Miles.
“Glad to meet you, boys,” remarked Mr. Darley, in a pleasant voice. “How is the market?”
Rex, with an effort, collected himself sufficiently to answer, “Oh, pretty fair, sir.”
“Only pretty fair, eh?” went on the other. “Keep at it, though. You’re bound to win some time, as I have. Look here.”
He put his hand in the side pocket of his coat and drew forth a great mass of chips, all covered with gilt paper.
A look of agony was on Miles’s face. It was almost worse than finding no father at all, to find such a one as this.