"Aunt Love has given him to me," continued the girl complacently.
"What does Blitzen say to the transfer?" he asked.
"I sometimes suspect he doesn’t know it," she returned seriously. "I mention it to him every day, though. Mr. Van Tassel laughs at me, and says that I needn’t expect to take the dog,—that Blitzen thinks I’m a humbug."
Page was not listening. "Mr. Van Tassel?" he repeated in blank surprise.
"Yes. Didn’t I say? Excuse me. He is my sister’s husband—and your uncle. I forgot that. The dearest man that ever lived."
Page felt staggered, and confusedly afraid that he should show the shock he felt. His eyes fell. This was one of that obscure family who had "roped Uncle Richard in." Like lightning there flashed across his mind the consideration that beauty had made his uncle weak.
"Yes—ahem"—he stammered, for he feared it might have been long that he had sat there dazed. "I’m sorry to hear that my uncle is ailing. Jack—his son knows nothing of it."
"No; it is Mr. Van Tassel’s wish that his son should not be informed of his indisposition." The girl’s reply sounded curiously stilted in contrast to her previous ease of manner. Page blamed himself for the new coldness.
"Just like his unselfishness, isn’t it?" he returned cordially. "I can’t help thinking how surprised Hilda will be to see me appear with you. She does not know when to expect me."
Mrs. Page was indeed surprised when the train stopped at R——, and she stood on the platform and beheld her brother and her guest leave the car together. She was a vivacious little woman with a trim figure, and keen blue eyes that looked out beneath her sailor hat, full of lively interest in everything and everybody. She pounced upon the pair, and kissed them both with enthusiasm.
"How perfectly delightful!" she exclaimed. "I couldn’t help worrying a little about you, Miss Bryant." ("Oh yes, Bryant was the name," thought Page.) "I knew you were not familiar with Boston, and although I had given you such detailed directions, I should have been frantic if you hadn’t come out of the car just when you did. Gorham, how did you happen to find her? Did you go out to Pearfield? How is Uncle Richard, Miss Bryant? There, Gorham, don’t let that stage go without us. Not the white one, the yellow. Is there room for three?"