"Oh, sir," said Comethup, with a deep sigh of content, "you don't know how glad I am to see you! It seemed such a long time before your letter came; I thought all sorts of horrible things must have happened--that you had gone away--or--or anything. But it's all right now, and I'm so glad you've come."
"That's good, Comethup, that's good," murmured the captain, more moved than he cared to show. "This is quite a holiday for me, and we must make the most of it, eh?"
"Oh, yes, we've arranged lots of things for you, so as to give you what aunt calls a good time while you're in London. There's a dinner party to-night--that's why I was obliged to come looking such a swell, as aunt calls it; I didn't mean to come to meet you like this, you know, but there wouldn't have been time to dress after I got back--and a lot of nice people are coming; you _will_ enjoy yourself."
"I hope so, I'm sure," said the captain. "And I'm sure I don't mind you're being a swell in the least, Comethup. I suppose," he added, a little wistfully, "I suppose your aunt is very good to you?"
Comethup nodded and laughed. "There never was anybody half so good--except you, sir, of course. She gives me everything I want, and some things that I scarcely want at all. It's really quite wonderful; I really didn't think anybody could have so much money."
"And you're quite happy?" asked the captain.
"Y--yes," replied Comethup, after turning the matter over in his mind for a moment. "You see, I can't help thinking sometimes about you, and 'Linda, and----"
"Ah, that reminds me," said the captain. "I saw 'Linda to-day, and told her I was coming to see you. She sends her love to you; I think she would have liked to come with me."
The carriage drew up at the house, and the captain alighted. He held himself very erect, shabby little figure that he was, as he went up the steps and into the house. He was conducted at once to the room which had been set apart for him, and presently made his appearance in the drawing room, where quite a number of people had already assembled, and approached Miss Carlaw. She stood, as usual, with her hand on the boy's shoulder. She seemed to know the captain's step at once, and greeted him cordially.