If the outside was gloomy, it had a queer, disorderly, and rather cheerful aspect within, for the sun was pouring a flood of gold in one window where it happened to strike a spot between two trees. And Frank Forrester was by no means melancholy to-day. He shook hands cordially with Mr. Whitney, and welcomed the rest of the party with the utmost affability,--a fine-looking Englishman with a picturesque air, due largely to his rather long hair, which fell about his forehead and neck in a tumbled manner, suggesting a tendency to curls. "These young people may like to look over my curiosities, while we have our talk," he said. "Take a cigar, and I'll bring a bottle of wine. Won't you join us, Doctor? Here, young folks, are curiosities from everywhere." He ushered them into a small room that was library and everything by turns. There were trophies of hunting expeditions, some rare birds stuffed and mounted, looking so alive Hanny would not have been surprised if they had suddenly begun to warble; books in every stage of dilapidation, some of them quite rare copies, Ben found; portfolios of old engravings; curious weapons; foreign wraps; Grecian and Turkish bits of pottery; and the odd things we call bric-a-brac nowadays. Delia began to make some notes. Ben laughed a little. Interviewing was not such a fine art then; and people were considered greater subjects of interest than their belongings. But Delia was saving up things for stories which she meant to write as she found time. Doctor Joe had come in here with the young people, leaving the two friends to discuss their business. He, too, found much to interest him; and he was amused at Delia's running comments, some of them very bright indeed. She was quite a spur to Ben, he found; and he was surprised at the varied stock of knowledge Ben had accumulated. It did not seem as if they had explored half, when Mr. Whitney opened the door. "Young folks, we must be going, if we expect to reach home that very same night, like the old woman with her pig," he said. "Are you talked out?" asked Delia, archly; "for we haven't half looked through things." "I want your brother to stay and have some supper with me. I'm my own housekeeper now; but I think we could manage." "What fun it would be," said Delia. "As there are no stores, we should have to start at the foundation of things." "I have a loaf of bread, and some cold mutton, and eggs, I think, and tea and coffee. Come, you had better accept my hospitality." "I must be home in the early evening," remarked Doctor Joe. "And Hanny's not to stay out after dark," appended Ben. "We are going down to Cockloft Hall," explained Mr. Whitney. "I am sorry we cannot accept." "Then you must bring your happy family again. If they are fond of curiosities, the old house could entertain them all day long." "And if they are fond of adventures, which they are, they might put you to the test," said Delia, daringly. Herbert laughed at the vivacious tone.