"To Mrs. Ashley's. I have put on my new coat. Does it do? It seems all right"—throwing up his arms.
"Yes, it fits you exactly. I think you are growing a dandy. Go along. I must not look at you too long."
"Why not?" he asked in surprise.
"In case I grow proud of my eldest son. And I would rather be proud of his goodness than of his looks."
William laughingly gave his mother a farewell kiss. "Tell Gar I am sorry he will not have me at his elbow this evening, to find fault with his Greek. Good-bye, mother dear."
In truth, there was something remarkably noble in William Halliburton's appearance. As he entered Mrs. Ashley's drawing-room, the fact seemed to strike upon Henry with unusual force, who greeted him from his distant sofa.
"So that's what you went back for!—to turn yourself into a buck!" he called out as William approached him. "As if you were not well enough before! Did you dress for me, pray?"
"For you!" laughed William. "That's good!"
"In saying 'me,' I include the family," returned Henry quaintly. "There's no one else to dress for."
"Yes, there is. There's Anna Lynn."