He carried Osgood to his country-home beyond Liverpool, where they staid till the ship was ready to sail again. He amused his mother and sisters with stories of Osgood's adventures on sea and land, and represented him in the light of a "Jarley's wax-works" hero, till he was fairly cured of his melancholy. Five months from the day on which he left New York Osgood returned, and stood on his Aunt Formica's door-steps with Dr. Black. They looked like a pair of Englishmen. Both had shiny, red noses, shiny, hard, narrow-brimmed hats, and shiny, narrow-toed boots, and the nap had brushed off their coats. Osgood looked into the familiar area with emotion, and the Doctor looked at the windows with curiosity. "They must be out of town," he said; "the house has been put in brown hollands." But Osgood knew the habits of his aunt--knew that from the first of July till the first of October the house was put on an out-of-town footing; and that she skirmished between city and country, or watering-place. The bell was answered by a servant he did not know. "I wish to see Mrs. Formica," he said, brushing past her, and entering the dark parlor. "Dr. Black and friend say." Mrs. Formica came in a moment after with a slight air of amazement, which increased to astonishment when she saw her nephew. She gave a little yelp as he embraced her, and said, "Where _have_ you been?" "To Cape Cod, and to Europe. I have been shipwrecked, aunt--that is, I lost my mackerel venture, and have been taken care of by my noble friend, Dr. Black." Aunt Formica grew pale at the word "shipwrecked," and turned to Dr. Black. Something in his face made her extend her hand and give him a warm welcome. "Black may stay here while he is in port, mayn't he? He will amuse you with yarns about me." "Of course," she replied. "Now tell me the whole story." Between Osgood and the Doctor it was related. "Why did you ever go from me?" she asked, wiping away a real tear. "I believe, aunt, I shall keep up the business of going--it suits me. I can never live through your conventional cramps." She did not think it prudent to combat him just then; but made a mental memorandum that something must be done that would change his foolish resolution. A plan developed at dinner that evening. "I had a note yesterday from Mrs. Senator Conch," said Mrs. Formica. "She will be in Saratoga this week, and begs me to meet her there. Formica and I have been talking it over, Osgood, and we think that it will be pleasant for Dr. Black and you to go up for a week. You will go, Doctor?" "Thank you, Madam, provided Osgood is not averse." "Any of our set there?" Osgood asked. "The Trees went up last Saturday with Barclay Dodge. They are making an extensive tour this year." "What's Barclay Dodge along for?" "He is engaged to Lily Tree!" "Ah!" said Osgood, looking at the Doctor, who could not help giving him a malicious grimace. "How long since? It's a capital match, ain't it?"