“And the boy has come to stay, mother,” said her husband, as he stooped over her.
“To stay!” cries Patty.
“Gordon's Pride is henceforth his home,” replied the barrister. “And now I can return in peace to my musty law, and know that my plantation will be well looked after.”
Patty gasped.
“Oh, I am so glad!” said she, “I could almost rejoice that his uncle cheated him out of his property. He is to be factor of Gordon's Pride?”
“He is to be master of Gordon's Pride, my dear,” says her father, smiling and tilting her chin; “we shall have no such persons as factors here.”
At that the tears forced themselves into my own eyes. I turned away, and then I perceived for the first time the tall form of my old friend, Percy Singleton.
“May I, too, bid you welcome, Richard,” said he, in his manly way; “and rejoice that I have got such a neighbour?”
“Thank you, Percy,” I answered. I was not in a state to say much more.
“And now,” exclaims Patty, “what a dinner we shall have in the prodigal's honour! I shall make you all some of the Naples biscuit Mrs. Brice told me of.”