Gradually, however, he managed to attract the attention of the young ladies, and then the conversation became general, and they chatted pleasantly for several minutes, until, at a look from Star, Mr. Rosevelt declared they must go, “for he was not used to late hours, and Star, he knew, was nearly worn out with the excitement of the day.”
Mr. Meredith regretted that they must leave, but begged, with his most captivating smile:
“May I have the pleasure, Miss Gladstone, of coming with my sister to call upon you?”
“Certainly,” Star answered, graciously, for she was pleased with both brother and sister. “I shall be very happy to have you do so. We live——”
“Wait a minute, Star, and I will write our address down for them. It is so difficult to remember numbers, I am afraid they will forget;” and taking a leaf from a small notebook that was in his pocket, Mr. Rosevelt wrote both street and number and passed it to young Meredith.
Star thought he looked surprised as he read it. Was it because of the humble locality? she wondered.
They then exchanged good-nights and parted. When they reached the street, Mr. Rosevelt said:
“I am going to call a carriage, dear, for I know you are just ready to drop from weariness;” and Star did not object, for she was indeed exceedingly tired.
When they reached home she insisted upon making a cup of tea for Uncle Jacob, saying that he was not accustomed to such late hours and dissipation; “and besides,” she added, with a smile, “she felt like having a drop herself.”
But the old gentleman was so absent-minded over his tea, that she felt almost guilty for having kept him up so late, and feared he would be ill to-morrow.