"You're a lucky boy," declared Chester, "to get such a girl. There's just one other I would rather have."
"I'm glad you think so."
"Of course you are—for—oh, for everybody's sake."
Chester had to return to Rotterdam the same day, so he claimed. Glen could not keep him longer, and reluctantly waved him off at the station.
The boat was slow from the Hook, at least it seemed so to Chester, and there was a high sea which nearly upset him. He got to London too late in the evening to call on the Strong's, but next morning he was out early.
Lucy met him in the hall with a cry of delight.
"You've come," she whispered as he pressed her close. "Oh, I thought you never would."
"My dear, why did you not say? Why did you let me leave you at all?"
"I didn't want you to miss anything on my account—but never mind that now—come in. Papa and uncle will be glad to see you. Do you know," she added with evident pleasure, "papa has been nearly as anxious about you as I have,—has continually asked me about you,—and I had to let him read your lovely long letter."
"You did? Well, it's all right. There's no harm done, I'm sure. He might as well know everything."