Part 5 (1/2)

Miss Caruthers had been engaged in a lively battle of words with some of her young companions; and now her attention came back to Lois, whose meditative, amused expression struck her.

”I am sure,” she said, ”you are philosophizing! Let me have the results of your observations, do! What do your eyes see, that mine perhaps do not?”

”I cannot tell,” said Lois. ”Yours ought to know it all.”

”But you know, we do not see what we have always seen.”

”Then I have an advantage,” said Lois pleasantly. ”My eyes see something very pretty.”

”But you were criticizing something.--O you unlucky boy!”

This exclamation, and the change of tone with it, seemed to be called forth by the entrance of a new comer, even Tom Caruthers himself. Tom was not in company trim exactly, but with his gloves in his hand and his overcoat evidently just pulled off. He was surveying the company with a contented expression; then came forward and began a series of greetings round the table; not hurrying them, but pausing here and there for a little talk.

”Tom!” cried his mother, ”is that you?”

”To command. Yes, Mrs. Badger, I am just off the cars. I did not know what I should find here.”

”How did you get back so soon, Tom?”

”Had nothing to keep me longer, ma'am. Miss Farrel, I have the honour to remind you of a _phillipoena_.”

There was a shout of laughter. It bewildered Lois, who could not understand what they were laughing about, and could as little keep her attention from following Tom's progress round the table. Miss Caruthers observed this, and was annoyed.

”Careless boy!” she said. ”I don't believe he has done the half of what he had to do, Tom, what brought you home?”

Tom was by this time approaching them.

”Is the question to be understood in a physical or moral sense?” said he.

”As you understand it!” said his sister.

Tom disregarded the question, and paid his respects to Miss Lothrop.

Julia's jealous eyes saw more than the ordinary gay civility in his face and manner.

”Tom,” she cried, ”have you done everything? I don't believe you have.”

”Have, though,” said Tom. And he offered to Lois a basket of bon-bons.

”Did you see the carpenter?”

”Saw him and gave him his orders.”

”Were the dogs well?”

”I wish you had seen them bid me good morning!”

”Did you look at the mare's foot?”

”Yes.”