"Well, I have hoped so, at all events; and it seems as if we were waiting for him now, and he _must_ come. But don't talk too much about that, please," he said, with his characteristic tug at his stock, "or I shall feel as if something had happened when he keeps away. But we'll drink the boy's health, at all events, God bless him! and we'll have a game at whist, three and a dummy, and make quite a party of it in our little way. Sid one-and-twenty, Wesden! by all that's glorious, it's a fine thing to have a son come to maturity!" Wine-glasses were produced--even a pack of cards, a brand new pack from the stock--and Sid's health was drunk very quietly, without any musical honours, but very heartily, for all that. And five minutes after the health had been drunk, Sidney Hinchford, portmanteau in hand, entered the shop, and walked straight into the parlour. "I said he'd come!" exclaimed the father. "Many happy returns of the day, you runaway! God bless you, my boy, and grant you health and happiness!" He wound up his wishes by kissing him as though he had been a girl. Sidney blushed, and laughed at his father's impulsiveness, and then turned to his two remaining friends with whom he shook hands--we need not add with whom the longer time. "Finish your game at whist," he said; "I must not spoil the harmony of the evening. Here, shall I take dummy?" "If you like. But we want to know----" "Presently you shall know all--let us relapse into our old positions, just as if I had never been away, for awhile. How's Mattie--where is she?" All three looked somewhat blankly at him. Mattie's departure, and the reasons which had actuated it, were more or less a mystery, and difficult of explanation. Mr. Wesden acted as spokesman. "I'm sorry to say she has gone away under very disagreeable circumstances." "Gone away!--Mattie!" "Your father can tell you all about it some other time," said Mr. Wesden. "I don't think we need spoil the evening by a long, sad story." "Yes, but, dash it! disagreeable circumstances," said Sidney--"that's an awkward phrase, and don't sound affectionate. But, until to-morrow, we'll postpone all details. I'll take dummy, and be your partner, Harriet." "Very well."