"I dare say I am. How are you all, Charley? There are the young ones, I see! Is that Alice? She _has_ grown!" Alice came bounding towards him, dropping the yellow blossoms from her apron. They had not seen him since the previous Christmas twelvemonth, when he had spent a week at Spring Lawn. Little Robert did not know him, and stood back, shyly staring. "And is this my dear little Bob?" cried Frank, catching him up and kissing him. "Does he remember brother Frank? And--why, there's mamma!--and papa! Come along." The child still in his arms, he went on to meet Major and Mrs. Raynor, who were hastening with outstretched hands of greeting. "This sight is better than gold!" cried the major. "How are you, my dear boy?" "We thought we were never to see you again," put in Mrs. Raynor. "How good of you to come!" "I have come to take just a peep at you all. It seems ages since I was here." "Are you come for a month?" "A month!" laughed Frank. "For two days." "Oh! Nonsense!" And so the bustle and the greetings continued. Major Raynor poured out a glass of wine, though Frank protested it was too hot for wine, especially after his walk from Bath. Mrs. Raynor went to see her cook about sending in something substantial with tea. Charles deferred his walk, and the young ones seduced Frank to the grass-plot to help with the cowslips. And Frank never gave the slightest intimation that he had come from Trennach for any purpose, except that of seeing them. But at night, when bedtime came and Mrs. Raynor went upstairs, leaving the major, as usual, to finish his glass and pipe, Frank drew up his chair for a conference, Charley being present. He then disclosed the real purport of his visit--namely, to ascertain from Major Raynor the amount of money coming to him under Mrs. Atkinson's will. Explaining at the same time why he wished to ascertain this: his intention to get into practice in London, and the ideas that had occurred to him as to the best means of accomplishing it. Just as he had explained the matter to Dr. Raynor at Trennach, the previous night. "You see, Uncle Francis, it is time I was getting a start in life," he urged. "I am half-way between twenty and thirty. I don't care to remain an assistant-surgeon any longer." "Of course you don't," said the major, gently puffing away. "Help yourself, Frank." "Not any more, thank you, uncle. And so, as the first preliminary step, I want you to tell me, if you have no objection, what sum Aunt Ann has put me down for." "Can't recollect at all, Frank." "But--don't you think this idea of mine a good one?--getting some well-established man to take me in on the strength of this money?" asked Frank, eagerly. "I cannot see any other chance of setting up." "It's a capital idea," said the major, taking a draught of whisky-and-water. "Well, then, Uncle Francis, I hope you will not object to tell me what the amount is."