He was thinking of all these things and some others besides as he stood leaning against the wall with his broom in his hand, and as he resumed his work with a discontented sigh, he determined to take the first opportunity to go up town and ask Mr. Dexter about the man with whom he had seen him driving. He had to wait nearly a week before he could get an afternoon off, and a very long week it seemed to him, too. Finally, one bright afternoon saw him speeding northward on the elevated railroad, his face bright at the prospect of seeing Laura and his heart beating with excitement as he thought of the interview which he had planned. He had determined to go at first to the Van Kuren’s, because Laura had charged him so solemnly not to do anything in the matter without first consulting her, that he felt that it would be absolute treachery on his part to ask the all-important question unless he had first obtained her permission. Descending the steps of the elevated station, he started at a brisk walk in the direction of his friend’s house, and what was his surprise and delight on turning the first corner to find himself face to face with both children who, accompanied by Mr. Reed, the tutor, were just starting for a long walk. They hailed him with boisterous delight and Bruce, having first bowed with much deference to Mr. Reed, of whom he stood in considerable awe, shook hands with both Laura and Harry and told them that he was just on his way to call on them. “We are just going out for a walk Master Decker,” said Mr. Reed, “and we would be very glad to have you accompany us.” Mr. Reed would not have invited any of the boys in the neighborhood to go with them, but he had been struck with the respectful manner in which Bruce had lifted his cap to him. Then they all set off together, Bruce and Harry marching ahead, while the tutor brought up in the rear with Laura. “Which way shall we go to-day?” said Harry, turning to the tutor, and at the same moment Bruce contrived to throw a significant glance at Laura, a glance which the young girl comprehended at once and which prompted her to exclaim “Oh, let’s follow this road along to where we were the other day, Harry, there’s a place there with lots of lovely flowers and there’s one tree that I don’t know the name of and I want to ask Mr. Reed what it is.” “Very well,” rejoined the tutor pleasantly, “we’ll go where you say, Miss Laura,” and Bruce chuckled to himself, as he noticed how the quick-witted girl’s tact served his purpose. They had not gone far before he contrived to fall behind the others with her for a moment, and whisper: “That’s just what I wanted; I came up here to go and see that Mr. Dexter, but I wouldn’t go until I had told you about it first; I’m going to ask him who that man is he was driving with the other day.”