"I declare, Theo, I don't know how we are to do without you when you go back home," exclaimed Mr. Croyden one night at dinner. "It will leave a big hole in the house, won't it, Madeline?" Mrs. Croyden nodded and a shadow passed across her face. "I wish we might borrow Theo for a long, long time," she sighed wistfully. "But I suppose your family would not listen to that, laddie." "I'm afraid not," Theo answered. "Mother seems to be getting a little impatient as it is. She thinks I've been gone a pretty long time." "Long? Nonsense! Why, you've only just come," Mr. Croyden said emphatically. "Up to now you have been visiting Mrs. Croyden. You haven't been my guest at all. Haven't we got the porcelain works ahead of us? That will take the best part of another week." "Then I am afraid I'd better be getting at it," laughed Theo, "for Mother writes we're to leave for Lake George the middle of July." "Mercy on us!" blustered Mr. Croyden. "I don't see how you can. The middle of July? That settles it. There must be no more kidnapping Theo for golf or tennis, Madeline. From now on he is to be my guest. Understand that." Mrs. Croyden bowed her head with amusing meekness. "It shall be as you say, my lord," she answered. "But are you expecting to take Theo to the factory every moment of every day?" "I don't know," was the grim reply. "That will all depend on how rapidly he learns the business." There was a general laugh. "How long has it taken you to learn it, Mr. Croyden?" questioned Theo mischievously. "Me? Oh, about thirty years." "Then at that rate I see I shall not get to Lake George this season," returned the boy with a smile. "Oh, I'll be easy with you this first time," Mr. Croyden answered. "I cannot afford to kill you or get you frightened, or you never will come again." "I guess you needn't worry about my not coming again," Theo retorted. "I have had far too good a time." "I am glad of that," the elder man asserted heartily. "And I, too, Theo," murmured Mrs. Croyden. "Do not forget that you have given us far more pleasure than you could possibly have received. Mr. Croyden and I are often very lonely for a son like you. It has been a boon to have you here. That is why you must not let this ambitious husband of mine tire you all out by setting you too strenuously at porcelain-making," she added playfully. "Is it to-morrow that you plan to drag Theo forth on this crusade to the factory, my dear?" Mr. Croyden glanced up at the words. "Yes, to-morrow morning. I shall take Theo down to the works with me directly after breakfast," he answered. "You better get to bed early to-night, son, so to be prepared for the worst." "I shan't waste any worry about the trip," grinned Theo as they rose from the dinner table. It was a warm night, and the three strolled out on the veranda, which overlooked the green of the country club. "I suppose," Theo remarked, "nobody has any idea when pottery and porcelain were first made in America."