He led the way down the stairs. "I wish you could stay longer," he said cheerily, "but you know your own affairs. My dear, Mr. Milford is going. We hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again soon. Our latch-string is out. Katherine, shake hands with Mr. Milford. I will light him out."
He stood on the veranda holding the lamp. "It is a dark night, and I wish we had a lantern. But the road is straight to your house. Good-night, and God bless you."
"They have struck up a warm friendship," said the girl.
"Astonishing," her mother replied.
The Professor put the lamp on the mantel-piece. "Is he your lost brother?" his wife asked.
"He is more than that," the Professor answered, sinking into a chair. "He is a man."
CHAPTER XII.
THE OLD SOFA.
Early the next morning, the Professor hastened from the dining-room to answer a rap at his door. And there stood Milford with a roll of bank notes in his hand.