Eric wanted to give his uncle and cousin a surprise. So Mr. Van Rasseulger did not send up their names, but they stole softly up the stairs, and opened the door.
Johnny was alone, lying upon the floor, with a very fretful, discontented expression upon his countenance.
He turned his head towards the door, and there, upon the threshold, blushing and laughing, stood Eric; and, better still, behind him was papa. The child uttered a joyful cry, and sprang into his father’s arms, who hurried to meet him, exclaiming,—
“My boy, my Johnny-boy, what is the matter?”
“It’s only the mumps,” said Johnny, reassuringly, and holding out his hand to Eric. “O, ain’t I glad you’ve come!” he added. “It’s awful dull here, uncle Charlie is away at the hospital so much.”
“Well, how have you been, excepting the mumps?” inquired his father, relieved enough to find nothing serious the matter with his petted boy.
“Bully!” exclaimed John, very improperly. “See how strong I’m getting, papa!” and he threw out his fist suddenly, giving his father a very uncomfortable punch in the side.
“I’m glad you didn’t illustrate on me,” said Eric, laughing. “Uncle John, are you a tester?”
“I’m an attestor, certainly,” replied his uncle. “Johnny, if you demonstrate your power of strength so forcibly and practically, some one will apply oil of birch to you.”
“Then I’ll be in first-rate running order,” retorted Johnny, “and you’ll have to take me to Strasbourg.”