At the sitting-room door we paused to listen. We could distinguish several voices inside.
“My father is here,” whispered Percy, excitedly, at the same time digging me in the ribs with his elbow so violently that I could not have contradicted him had I wished to do so. “And so is Sir Anthony. Hark! He is talking now.”
He gently opened the door. As we walked in we heard Sir Anthony say, “You may depend upon it they will bounce in upon us suddenly.” Then, as his ear caught the click of the latch,—“And here they are!”
Dear, dear! To think that we foolish, foolish youngsters had ever run away from such kind people as these! We were fairly smothered with welcomes. If anything had been needed to convince us that Home was the finest place in the world—! But what is the use of talking about that? Every sensible boy knows that for himself; or else he is a very unfortunate boy.
It was half-past twelve ere Sir Anthony rose to go home.
“Well, you young scapegraces,” said he, with a kindly twinkle in his eye, as he shook hands with both of us at once, “I’m very glad to see you safely back again. I won’t prosecute you for poaching this time—on one condition, though. Next time you make up your minds to run away from home, go and ask advice of your parents first. Remember, boys,” he went on, abandoning his joking tone, and laying a hand upon the shoulder of each of us—“Remember: Whenever you get into trouble, go and ask advice in the right quarter. And remember, each of you, that you never will have, and never can have, such perfect friends as your own parents.”
“We have found that out for ourselves, sir,” said Percy.
“You have! I congratulate you. If your escapade had had no other result it would have been worth all the hardships you have suffered yourselves, and all the anxiety you have caused your elders to have made such a grand discovery. You are a very fortunate pair. So, good-night, my boys; and welcome home!”
Sir Anthony was a wise old man. I acknowledge readily and thankfully that he was perfectly right when he said I never could have such good friends as my own parents. At the same time, I must not omit to state that there is a certain American—one Percy Goodall—who will always come treading very close upon their heels.
THE END.