Part 21 (1/2)
”You don't know where he lives in England, do you?”
”Mother told me once, but I forget the name of the place. Why do you want to know?”
”Because,” said Jack slowly, raising himself on his elbow as he spoke, ”if I knew it, I think I would write him a letter myself.”
”Oh, Jack, you wouldn't dare?”
”Yes, I think I would,” said Jack, ”and I think if he really came, mother would love it.”
”She would love to see him,” Betty admitted, ”but she doesn't like to write, for fear he might think she wanted money or something like that.”
”I want to see him too,” said Jack; ”I want it very much indeed.”
”Why? You never seemed to care so much before.”
”No, I didn't, not till to-day, but then you see I had never talked to an Englishman before.”
”And does that make a difference?” Betty asked, somewhat puzzled.
”Of course it does. Uncle Jack is an Englishman too, and perhaps--I don't really suppose he is--but he might be just a little bit like the lord.”
”You are a funny boy,” said Betty, laughing. ”The lord was very kind, and ever so good to us, but then----”
”He was the most splendid man I ever saw,” interrupted Jack, ”and I wish--I do wish--that when I grow up I might be just exactly like him.”
The Randalls was not the only household in which Lord Carresford was the subject of conversation that evening.
”Your friend has certainly succeeded in captivating the children's affections, Charlie,” said Mrs. Bell to her husband, as she joined him and her sister on the piazza after having seen Lulu safely tucked up in bed. ”Lulu has talked of nothing else since she came home, and I have just been talking to Mrs. Hamilton at the telephone. She says her little girl is of the opinion that 'his lords.h.i.+p' is the most delightful person she has ever encountered.”
”That was always the way with old Jack,” said the doctor, smiling.
”There was never a man, woman, or child who had not something to say in his praise. He was the most popular man in his cla.s.s.”
”I declare I can hardly wait till to-morrow to make his acquaintance,”
laughed Miss Warren. ”Did you ever know any of his people, Charlie?”
”No, I never met any of them. I fancy his father was a rather eccentric old gentleman, who did not encourage visitors. There was a sister he used to talk about a good deal, but I never met her. I left college the year before he did, and I have a vague recollection of having heard that the sister made an unfortunate marriage, but I have forgotten the circ.u.mstances.”
”I hope that poor little Randall boy won't be any the worse for his adventure of this afternoon,” Mrs. Bell said, a little anxiously.
”Oh, no, I think not; we wrapped him up well coming home, and he seemed as happy as possible. Indeed, I have an idea that he rather enjoyed the whole adventure, for he is a true boy, after all.”
”I like Mrs. Randall very much,” remarked Miss Warren. ”She is an excellent teacher, and a thoroughly cultivated woman. I wish I knew more of her history, and could do something to help her, for I am sure she has had a hard time. Don't you know anything about her family, Charlie?”
”Nothing whatever. Betty once told me that their only relative is an uncle in England, whom she has never seen.”
”Lulu says Jack's grandfather was a general,” said Mrs. Bell. ”They are certainly a most interesting family, and I wish we could manage to do something for that poor Mrs. Randall. There is a tragedy of some kind written plainly on her face.”
CHAPTER XIV
JACK'S NEW FRIEND