CHAPTER XVII

A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES

I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.  I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.  They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

The house was even livelier than when I left it.  There was a married couple visiting there, enthusiastic devotees of golf; one of Mr. Walter’s college friends was with him; and, to my surprise, Miss Amy Willoughby was there again.

Genevieve received me with the greatest warmth, and I could see that her hopes of a gentleman friend revived.  Little Clara demanded to be kissed as soon as she saw me, and I think she now looked upon me as a permanent uncle or something of that kind.  As soon as possible I was escorted by the greater part of the family to see the bear.

Miss Edith had welcomed me as if I had been an old friend.  It warmed my heart to receive the frank and cordial handshake she gave me.  She said very little, but there was a certain interrogation in her eyes which assured me that she had much to ask when the time came.  As for me, I was in no hurry for that time to come.  I did not feel like answering questions, and with as much animation as I could assume I talked to everybody as we went to see the bear.

This animal had grown very fat and super-contented, but I found that the family were in the condition of Gentleman Waife in Bulwer’s novel, and were now wondering what they would do with it.

“You see,” cried Percy, who was the principal showman, “the neighbors are all on pins and needles about him.  Ever since the McKenna sisters spread the story that Orso was in the habit of getting under beds, there isn’t a person within five miles of here who can go to bed without looking under it to see if there is a bear there.  There are two houses for sale about a mile down the road, and we don’t know any reason why people should want to go away except it’s the bear.  Nearly all the dogs around here are kept chained up for fear that Orso will get hold of them, and there is a general commotion, I can tell you.  At first it was great fun, but it is getting a little tiresome now.  We have been talking about shooting him, and then I shall have his bones, which I am going to set up as a skeleton, and it is my opinion that you ought to have the skin.”