“Please excuse me for a moment,” she said, hurriedly. “I think it may be my brother, and I am so anxious to see him. Barbara said he would be here some time this afternoon.” And, without waiting for Fräulein’s permission, she ran out into the hall, and in another moment was greeting a tall gentleman, with brown hair, and eyes like her own.
“Well, well!” exclaimed Mr. Douaine, kissing his little sister affectionately, and then holding her off at arm’s length; “this is a pleasant surprise. I thought you were not due before to-morrow. How well you are looking. School life certainly seems to agree with you. Is Barbara at home?”
“No,” said Gretel; “she had to go out to attend to some things, but she told me to tell you she would hurry back as early as she could. You look awfully tired, Percy; did you have a hot journey?”
“Beastly. Between the heat and the dust, we were almost suffocated. It’s good to get home, though, even if only for a day or two. What do you think of Barbara’s summer plans?”
“I love them,” said Gretel. “I am sure Washington will be tremendously interesting. Come in and have some tea. It’s all ready, and iced, too, just the way you like it. I have a friend here, but you won’t mind her.”
Mr. Douaine said that he certainly would not mind meeting any friend of Gretel’s, and followed his sister into the drawing-room.
“This is my friend Fräu—— Miss Sieling,” said Gretel, thinking that possibly her visitor might prefer to drop the German prefix under present circumstances. “I am sure you have heard me speak of her, Percy. She was very kind to me when I first went to Miss Minton’s.”
Mr. Douaine smiled, and shook hands with the visitor, while Miss Sieling blushed, and murmured something ending with “Anything I have ever done for dear Gretel has been only a pleasure to myself.” Then they all sat down, but it soon became evident to Gretel that her friend was not as much at her ease as usual, and in a short time she rose to go.
“Oh, don’t go yet,” cried Gretel, hospitably. “I haven’t told you half the school news, and it isn’t more than five o’clock.”
But Fräulein persisted in her intention of leaving at once. The air was so heavy, she said, she was sure there would be a thunder-storm before long.