The accomplished Miss Walker and her pupil joined the party, but no other junior member of the family.
"What an infamous shame," thought Wilton, "not to let that poor boy have a little society!" However, Fortune was not quite inexorable. As Wilton rode up to the door on their return, intending to bid the young ladies under his escort good-by, he became aware of a small figure, with a large head and prominent eyes, standing on the threshold, supported by crutches, while a pony-carriage was just disappearing toward the stables.
"What a nuisance!" said Helen to Gertrude. "I wonder what that boy wants?"
"Well, Donald, you ought not to stay here after your drive. You will take cold," said Miss Saville.
"Never you mind," retorted the boy, in a shrill, resentful voice. "I want to speak to Colonel Wilton."
"To me?" said Wilton, coming forward.
"Yes, I have asked them all to bring you to see me, and they won't. I believe they'd like to smother me altogether. Will you come and see me and Ella? I want to hear about a battle and lots of things."
He spoke with a sort of querulous impetuosity.
"I shall be most happy to rub up my recollections for your benefit," said Wilton, good-humoredly, and taking the hand which the little cripple contrived to hold out to him.
"When will you come? To-morrow?"