Then she hurried in, just as the luncheon gong was sounding, and had only time to take off her hat and coat to be in her place at table. Her father was most punctual at his meals. He believed in method at all times, and carried method and the utmost punctuality into all his daily habits.
When he entered the dining-room the girl saw, from his preoccupied expression, that something had occurred.
She, however, made no inquiry before the servant, while he on his part, though bursting with the good news, resolved to keep his information until they had had their meal and retired into the study together.
Then he would explain to her, and show her the amazing result.
Therefore she chatted merrily, telling him how sweet her new gown looked, and gossiping in her own sweet engaging way—with that girlish laughter and merriment which was the sunshine of the old scholar’s otherwise dull and colourless existence.
Little did she dream, he thought, as he sat at table, of the staggering announcement which he was about to make to her.
He had solved the problem!