"Never!" said Oscar, trying to laugh with the others.
"Yes, indeed, and the error was not discovered until the very last moment, and then all I could do, as you see, was to have 'Oscar' erased--it was too late to have 'Magnus' inscribed instead."
"Where is Magnus, I wonder?" said the Governor, walking restlessly before the window.
"Don't be anxious about Magnus, Stephen," said Anna. "He grows more and more like my poor father. If father promised to be somewhere at a certain time he would turn up to the minute if he had to kill a couple of ponies in getting there."
The cathedral clock struck five at that moment, and sure enough before the clang of the last stroke had died away Magnus walked into the room. He looked slack and almost untidy in his pea jacket and long boots, and was the only person in the room who had not troubled to dress for the occasion. The Governor's face darkened at sight of him, and the Factor said in a tone of vexation:
"Well, let us get to work and have it over--I've been spoiling for a smoke this half-hour."
The lawyer opened his portfolio, and the company gathered about the table, whereupon Aunt Margret cried:
"Magnus, do you allow of this? Here's Oscar sitting beside Thora."
"Don't disturb him," said Magnus. "This is good enough for me," and he took a low seat by the side of his mother.
"Now, come," said the Factor, "let the one who has the best voice start the singing."