A pause fell between them and Walter rose to go.
"Do you suppose you will hear anything more to-night?" questioned he shyly.
"There is no telling. We may have news at any moment; or again we may hear nothing until into the night or till morning."
"I'm crazy to get tidings, aren't you?" In his earnestness the lad had forgotten that they were not of an age or quite of the same station.
The master smiled indulgently.
"I'm every bit as crazy to hear as you are," said he, quite as if Lola were their joint possession.
"Do you think you'll get any message before I go to bed?"
Once more Mr. Crowninshield regarded him with friendly comradeship.
"That depends on what time you turn in."
"At home Ma makes me go at nine o'clock. I've done it pretty much, too, since I've been here. She wanted I should."