Mr. Drummond held out his hand. Adam was so astonished that at first he did not hold out his own, though not from unwillingness.
"Will you not shake hands, though I have been stepping on forbidden ground? I am not 'the manager' here, but with you as man to man."
If Mr. Drummond had after cause for fault-finding, it was certainly not on account of want of heartiness. The effects of Adam's grip, made his fingers tingle for some time. Then, after a farewell pat to the baby, and an acknowledgment of the striker's lifted cap, the manager walked rapidly away.
[CHAPTER VII.]
MAGGIE, HER BEST SIDE OUT.
Two pairs of eager eyes had long been on the watch, and two eager tongues loudly announced that "father" was coming, as Mr. Drummond approached his own doorstep.
Then there was a rush of the two pairs of feet belonging to the aforesaid, and the hall resounded with welcoming kisses and alternate expressions of delight that he had come at last, and of reproach that he had been so long absent.
The children's faces and voices were not the only ones that told of gladness when Mr. Drummond made his appearance. Their small hands, which had seized both his, were disengaged again. The father had plenty of loving caresses for his little people, but he did not overlook the mother's claims. Putting them aside for a moment, he passed his arm tenderly around her, as he said with a laugh, "Don't be greedy, darlings. Mother must have her share," and then affectionately kissed the fair face in which he could read a whole volume of glad welcome.
"You have thought me long, Edith, though you do not scold me for having kept you waiting."
"I sometimes make up my mind to lecture you, Robert, but when you come, I am so glad to see you that I forget the words I meant to say, and tell you this instead."