"But what is the message? What does it say?" clamored Walter all impatience.
"Well, it ain't so thrillin' you need to go into a thousand pieces over it," commented the Cape Codder dryly. "Some friend of Mr. Crowninshield's 'pears to be comin' down here on the afternoon train bringin' with him his wife—either his wife or daughter."
"What!" Walter ejaculated weakly.
"That's what he says," continued Mr. Burns, calmly rereading the document he held. "Evidently some relation—or at least a person who feels he has the right to boss, for he says he wants to be met at the train."
"Did I get the name?"
"Yes, that's here. I may's well read you the whole thing with the exception of the extra touches you've added."
"I wish to goodness you would."
"'Tain't nothin' interestin', as I said before," insisted Mr. Burns, readjusting his spectacles. "'Coming on afternoon train and bringing Lola. Meet me, O'Con——' Where in thunder you goin'?" The operator gazed in amazement as a pair of chubby legs vanished up the platform.
"That's all right, Mr. Burns! I don't want the paper back. You can keep it to remember me by. Thanks!" Then to Dick he shouted as he sprang into the car:
"We're off for home fast as we can make it, old man! Such news! Your father will be crazy! Whee! Hurrah!"