you knew all about him," I said, in rather
a low voice.

"As much as one needs to know about a mere teacher. But the person you
have in your house all the time is different."

"But he is a gentleman," I put in more firmly.

"I hope he is. He had letters to some friends of ours. But what are
letters? People give them when they're asked for them, and half the time
know nothing of the person for whom they do the favor, besides his name
and general standing. Hardly that, sometimes." Then, as if to put away a
tiresome and unwelcome subject, he began again to talk about the place.

But I had lost my interest in the subject, and thought only of returning
to the house.

"Don't," I said, playfully putting out my hand as he took out another
cigar to light. "You have smoked enough to-night. Do you know, you smoke
a great deal more than is good for you."

"Well, I will not smoke any more to-night if you say so. Only don't go
in the house."

"Oh, yes, you know we only came out to smoke."

He stood in front of the path that led to the piazza and said, in an
affectionate, gentle way, "Stay and walk a little longer. I have not
told you half how glad I am that you are here at last."

"Oh, as for that, you've got a good many weeks to tell me in. Besides,
it's getting chilly," and I gave a little shiver.

"If you're cold, of course," he said, letting me pass and following me,
and added, with a shade of anxiety, "Why didn't you tell me before? I
never thought of it, and you have no shawl."

I felt ashamed of myself as I led the way up the piazza steps.

In the hall, which was quite light, they were all standing, and Mr.
Langenau was in the group. They were petitioning him for music.

"Oh, he has promised that he will sing," said Sophie; "but remember he
has not had his tea. I have ordered it for you, Mr. Langenau; it will be
ready in a moment."

Mr. Langenau bowed and turned to go up the stairs. His eye met mine, as
I came into the light, dazzled a little by it.

He went up the stairs; the others after a few moments, went into the
parlor. I sat down on a sofa beside Mrs. Hollenbeck. Richard was called
away by a person on business. There was a shaded lamp on a bracket above
the sofa where we sat; Mrs. Hollenbeck was reading some letters she had
just received, and I took up the evening paper, reading over and over an
advertisement of books. Presently the servant came to Mrs. Hollenbeck
and said that Mr. Langenau's tea was r