“That would be pleasant for us,” said the captain, “and, by the way, I heard to-day that our next neighbor talks of selling his plantation and leaving the vicinity.”
“What! surely not that beautiful place that I was admiring the other day?” questioned Cousin Ronald. “Beechwood I think you told me they called it.”
“The very same,” replied the captain, “and we should all be very glad to see you and your son settled there.”
“What do you say to that, laddie?” asked the old gentleman, turning to Hugh.
“It sounds very inviting, sir,” was the smiling reply; “and would not be too distant from our proposed place of business.”
“No, I think not; hardly more than fifteen minutes’ ride or drive from the village if one has the right kind of steed.”
“Ah, you think of going into business in Union, do you?” inquired the captain in a tone of surprise.
“Yes, I have been quietly spying out the land,” replied Cousin Ronald, “and if Hugh agrees with me in thinking it a suitable place for a factory, I think we shall buy and build there.”
“That is a pleasant prospect for us,” said Captain Raymond. “If you like, I will drive you both over there to-morrow and also take you to look at Beechwood.”
The offer was at once accepted with thanks, and dismissing his pupils a little earlier than usual the next morning, the captain fulfilled his promise to his guests.
When they returned, the news they brought was that they had secured a suitable site for a factory in the outskirts of Union, and were carrying on negotiations for the purchase of Beechwood.
“But who is going to keep house for you, Cousin Ronald?” asked Lulu.
“Marian, I hope,” replied the old gentleman, looking smilingly at her. “You can do that in addition to attending to your studies, can you not, my bonny lassie?”
“I can try,” she said with a look of delight; “for oh, but it would be pleasant to have a home with my dear, kind old kinsman.”
“And so near to us, Marian. I hope you are as glad of that as I am,” exclaimed Lulu.
“Oh, yes, yes, indeed!” cried Marian. “I hope there will be seldom a day when we shall not see each other; for you are like a sister to me.”
“And you will come here to recite every school day, I hope,” said the captain, “for I do not want to lose so painstaking, industrious, and promising a pupil.”