“A very pleasant journey.  The day was delightfully cool, and even my wife did not suffer from fatigue.  She is quite well this morning, and quite delighted with her new home.  But, see here, Ishmael, how you have changed!  You are taller than I am!  You must be near six feet in height—­are you not?”

“I suppose so,” smiled Ishmael.

“And your hair is so much darker.  Altogether, you are so much improved.”

“There was room for it.”

“There always is, my boy.  Well, I did not come here to pay compliments, my young friend.  I came to tell you that, thanks to my little Bee’s activity, we are all comfortably settled at home now; and we should be happy if you would come on Friday evening and spend with us Saturday and Sunday, your weekly holidays.”

“I thank you, sir; I thank you very much.  I should extremely like to come, but—­”

“Now, Ishmael, hush!  I do not intend to take a denial.  When I give an invitation I am very much in earnest about it; and to show you how much I am in earnest about this, I will tell you that I reflected that this was Thursday, and that if I asked you to-day you could tell your friends when you get home this evening, and come to-morrow morning prepared to remain over till Monday.  Otherwise if I had not invited you till to-morrow morning, you would have had to walk all the way back home to-morrow evening to tell your friends before coming to see us.  So you see how much I wished to have you come, Ishmael, and how I studied ways and means.  Mrs. Middleton and all your old schoolmates are equally anxious to see you, so say no more about it, but come!”

“Indeed, I earnestly thank you, Mr. Middleton, and I was not about to decline your kind invitation in toto, but only to say that I am occupied with duties that I cannot neglect on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings; but on Saturday evening I shall be very happy to come over and spend Sunday.”

“Very well, then, Ishmael; so be it; I accept so much of your pleasant company, since no more of it is to be had.  By the way, Ishmael!”

“Yes, sir.”

“That was a gallant feat and a narrow escape of yours as it was described to me by my niece Claudia.  Nothing less than the preservation of her life could have justified you in such a desperate act.”

“I am grateful to Miss Merlin for remembering it, sir.”

“As if she could ever forget it!  Good Heaven!  Well, Ishmael, I see that your pupils are assembling fast.  I will not detain you from your duties longer.  Good-morning; and remember that we shall expect you on Saturday evening.”

“Good-morning, sir!  I will remember; pray give my respects to Mrs. Middleton and all the family.”

“Certainly,” said Mr. Middleton, as he walked away.

Ishmael re-entered the schoolroom, rang the bell to call the pupils in, and commenced the duties of the day.

On Saturday afternoon, all his weekly labors being scrupulously finished, Ishmael walked over to Rushy Shore Beacon, as Mr. Middleton’s house was called.