“Why isn't there?” said Albert, noting Mr. Selden's dressing-gown, and impressed with his semi-invalid air; “aren't you strong enough to do anything but talk?”
“No, I'm not so badly off as that yet, Albert; but you see I've lived alone so long; that I haven't much of an idea how to amuse little boys.”
“Why did you tome down here when ev'rybody was away?” for Albert felt that the case needed to be still further investigated; “were you inwited?”
“Oh, yes, indeed I was invited! Harold's brother Ted invited me—urged me, I may say, to come whenever I chose, and to stay as long as I liked.”
“How long do you sink you will like to stay?”
“I think I would like to stay always.”
“Always till you die?”
“Yes, I think I should—that is, if you don't mind, Albert;” for Albert's sense of proprietorship in the Little Castle was very evident.
“Oh, no, I'll not mind—perhaps we'll grow to be friends, and often have long talks. Marie-Celeste said you had long talks on the steamer—that was how she came to know you so well.”
“Yes, we did have beautiful talks on the steamer, but the very best one of all was in St. George's Chapel, a month or so ago.”