"I cannot tell," said Lois. "Yours ought to know it all."
"But you know, we do not see what we have always seen."
"Then I have an advantage," said Lois pleasantly. "My eyes see something very pretty."
"But you were criticizing something.—O you unlucky boy!"
This exclamation, and the change of tone with it, seemed to be called forth by the entrance of a new comer, even Tom Caruthers himself. Tom was not in company trim exactly, but with his gloves in his hand and his overcoat evidently just pulled off. He was surveying the company with a contented expression; then came forward and began a series of greetings round the table; not hurrying them, but pausing here and there for a little talk.
"Tom!" cried his mother, "is that you?"
"To command. Yes, Mrs. Badger, I am just off the cars. I did not know what I should find here."
"How did you get back so soon, Tom?"
"Had nothing to keep me longer, ma'am. Miss Farrel, I have the honour to remind you of a phillipoena."
There was a shout of laughter. It bewildered Lois, who could not understand what they were laughing about, and could as little keep her attention from following Tom's progress round the table. Miss Caruthers observed this, and was annoyed.