How very clear and kind his tones were! Edward was astonished. That same evening he was more astonished. He was in the library, at work over his books; Mr. Minturn had to go to a committee meeting, expecting to be detained late; as he arose from the dinner-table, he said,—
"How am I to get in to-night? Here's my night-key in two pieces."
"I'll be night-key, sir," said Edward promptly.
"Well, you may; you can take your books to the library, and have a long evening to pore over them."
So he was there, poring over them with all his might, when the door opened gently, and Ray Minturn came in.
"Are you hard at work?" he asked kindly.
"Yes, sir," said Edward, wishing he would go out again. But he didn't seem in a hurry to do so; he took a book from the case, and glanced over it a moment, then came towards Edward.
"What are you studying?"
"Fractions," answered Edward briefly.
"Do you have any trouble?"