etting about it.

CHAPTER VII.

The day seemed very long. He ate his luncheon, having first paid a visit
to Ann, who gave him an effusive welcome. Jeffrey waited, and during the
meal they had some further talk, and among other things John said to
him, "Does my father dress for dinner nowadays?"

"No, sir," was the reply, "I don't know when I've seen your father in
his evenin' clothes, sir. Not for a long time, and then maybe two or
three times the past year when he was going out to dinner, but not here,
sir. Maybe it'll be different now you're back again, sir."

After luncheon John's luggage arrived, and he superintended the
unpacking, but that employment was comparatively brief. The day dragged
with him. Truly his home-coming was rather a dreary affair. How
different had been yesterday, and the day before, and all those days
before when he had so enjoyed the ship life, and most of all the daily
hour or more of the companionship which had grown to be of such
surpassing interest to him, and now seemed so utterly a thing of the
past.

Of course, he should see her again. (He put aside a wonder if it would
be within the proprieties on that evening or, at latest, the next.) But,
in any case, "the episode," as he had said to her, was done, and it had
been very pleasant--oh, yes, very dear to him. He wondered if she was
finding the day as interminable as it seemed to him, and if the interval
before they saw each other again would seem as long as his impatience
would make it for him. Finally, the restless dullness became
intolerable. He sallied forth into the weather and went to his club,
having been on non-resident footing during his absence, and, finding
some men whom he knew, spent there the rest of the afternoon.

His father was at home and in his room when John got back.

"Well, father," he said, "the prodigal has returned."

"He is very welcome," was the reply, as the elder man took both his
son's hands and looked at him affectionately. "You seem very well."

"Yes," said John; "and how are you, sir?"

"About as usual, I think," said Mr. Lenox.

They looked at each other for a moment in silence. John thought that his
father seemed thinner than formerly, and he had instantly observed that
a white beard covered the always hitherto smooth-shaven chin, but he
made no comment.

"The old place appears very familiar," he remarked. "Nothing is changed
or even moved, as I can see, and Ann and Jeff are just the