One morning they were sitting together in the parlor of Mr. Van Kuren’s apartment talking about America and their many friends there, as they frequently did, and Bruce’s name came up with the others.
“I wish,” said Laura, “that papa would let us write to him, because he must think it very strange that he has heard nothing from us since we went away. You see he knows nothing about us or why we had to break off our friendship so suddenly.”
“Oh I’ll get around papa all right one of these days,” said Harry carelessly, “and I’ve no doubt he’ll let me send him a letter when I ask him to.”
They were still talking about Bruce and wondering whether he had completely recovered from his injuries, when the door opened and their father entered in company with a white haired gentleman whom they recognized at once as the one who had occupied the big house near their own and whose name they had long since been forbidden to mention. They looked up now with their eyes wide open with surprise, as their father called to them by name and said, “Samuel, these are my children. You haven’t seen them since they were very small.” Mr. Dexter extended his hand and said with an extremely pleasant smile on his pale face, “Yes I remember them very well. This is Laura and this is Harry. You don’t remember me, children, I suppose?”
Laura made no reply, but Harry spoke up in his impulsive, boyish way and said, “why you’re the gentleman who lives in that, big square house, and used to come and see us ever so many years ago. I remember you well but papa told us long ago that we mustn’t—”
“That will do Harry,” said his father hastily and in a stern tone of voice which his son was thoroughly familiar with. Then he turned to Mr. Dexter and said, “It’s some years since we’ve seen you and I didn’t think the boy had such a good memory.”
“Yes,” replied the other, who had been amused at Harry’s interrupted remark, “a fatally good memory, I see. But how long do you intend to stay in Paris?”
“A month or so,” said Mr. Van Kuren, and then the children were sent out of the room and he and Mr. Dexter seated themselves and entered into a long talk which lasted until the time came for dinner. During that meal, of which Mr. Dexter partook also, he asked both Harry and Laura a great many questions about their studies and amusements, and evinced an interest in them which neither could quite understand. Laura was burning to tell him all about Bruce and his strange recollection of the old house, but no opportunity offered itself, and soon after dinner Mr. Dexter went out with her father, leaving the brother and sister to amuse themselves until bedtime.