CHAPTER V
THE WRITER APPEARS UPON THE SCENE
There had been a certain amount of excitement when Father and Mother had started for their holidays abroad, but nothing in any way to be compared to the excitement of the day when the Writer made his first appearance.
Ridgwell and Christine distinctly heard themselves being asked for by a visitor, one day when the sitting-room door was open, and to be inquired for personally was at least something of an event. "I want to see the children," a voice had said, and there was no mistaking the significance of the words. Without any undue delay, Ridgwell and Christine immediately presented themselves.
The stranger was led in captive, one upon either side of him, and being placed upon the sofa was regarded steadfastly for some little while. During a very thorough scrutiny the prisoner smiled affably, produced a pipe which he lighted carefully and puffed at steadily, and then inquired casually if they both thought he would do.
"You look jolly," announced Ridgwell, "only I can't make out who you are; but you know Father and Mother very well, don't you?"
"Rather," said the stranger, "great friends of mine."
"But we've never seen you, have we?" added Christine.
"No," replied the stranger, "but I thought it was quite time I made your acquaintance, so I thought I would call upon you. Sorry I haven't got a card, but you can supply something in its place which will be quite as good. Where does Father keep his books?" was the sudden and somewhat unexpected question.
"It just depends," debated Ridgwell, "what particular lot you want.
Biography, Philosophy, Romance or Poetry."