Browning. "You see, if the
governor asks me home you will go with me, and we will cabin together as
of old. We will, by Jove! If he does not, then you must help me hold the
fort in this hotel until I can bring my wife here," and he blushed like
a girl when he spoke the word "wife."

The day wore heavily away. It was almost dark when a carriage stopped
at the hotel and the cards of Archibald Hamlin and Percival Jenvie were
brought in. Browning received them, and glancing at them handed them to
Sedgwick, whispering, "They are the old duffers, Jim," caught up his hat,
said to the servant, "Show me the gentlemen," and followed him out of the
room.

He was absent a full half-hour. When he returned the two old men
accompanied him and were presented to Jack. They were very gracious,
invited Sedgwick to come with his son and make his son's home his home
while in London.

Sedgwick was shy when there were ladies present, but men did not
disconcert him.

He thanked Mr. Hamlin for his kind invitation, but begged to be excused,
adding, "I am but a miner, not yet a month from underground. I have lived
a miner's life for years. You do not understand, but that is not a good
school in which to prepare a student for polite society."

"Tut, tut," said the old gentleman, with English heartiness. "We have
a big, rambling old house. You can have your quarters there. When you
become bored you can retreat to them. You shall have a key and go and
come when you please. We should all be hurt were not Jack's friend made
welcome under our roof so long as he pleased to remain in London."

"Well, let me think it over to-night. If I can gather the courage, maybe
I will accept to-morrow," said Sedgwick.

Then Jenvie interposed, saying, "Mr. Sedgwick, let us make a compromise.
My house is but a step from Hamlin's; make it your home half the time.
Really it should be. In England friends only stop at hotels when
traveling."

"Come, Jim," said Jack; "you see it must be, and that is the right thing.
Ours are old-fashioned people, just up from Devonshire. What would you
have thought had I insisted upon stopping at that hotel at the station
near your father's house?"

Sedgwick yielded at last. Their trunks were packed in a few minutes, the
bill settled, and they drove away.

Reaching the Hamlin home they were shown at once to their apartments, and
were informed that so soon as they were ready dinner would be served.

They were not long in dress