“Stay to tea then and go up some time this evening,” went on Rex. “I am sure our mother would be delighted to meet you, and so would the girls. Wouldn’t they, Roy?” “Yes, indeed, please stay, Mr. Keeler.” Roy would not have dared to make this request if he had been left to himself. That was the difference in character of the two brothers. One was impulsive, ready to do anything on the spur of the moment: the other cautious, shrinking sometimes. He was just as anxious as Rex to extend the hospitality of the Pellery to their new acquaintance, but felt that he had not known the other long enough to warrant him in doing so. Mr. Keeler hesitated. He was in his element now in the society of two boys of such contrasted temperaments, making admirable studies. “I was going back to New York to-night,” he said. “But I suppose I could put it off till morning.” “Do; then you can stay to tea at the Pellery,” exclaimed Rex. “That’s what we call our house. It makes it seem like a nest, you know. If you don’t mind I’ll mount my wheel and run on ahead to tell them you are coming, so that we can receive you in proper state.” There was no opportunity given Mr. Keeler to decline. Rex rushed ahead, mounted his wheel and was off before he could answer. “You will stay, won’t you?” asked Roy. “With pleasure if you think it will not inconvenience your mother. That is decidedly important. You do not know but I may be some moonshiner from the Cumberland, or a bandit from Italy. My complexion certainly answers to the latter description. You see, you have only my word for who I really am.” “I guess that’s good enough,” laughed Roy, “How do you like Rex?” “Immensely.” “Everybody does. I suppose we ought to be very proud of him, and we are, but then we are afraid for him at the same time. What a boy he is! See, he’s hunted up our big flag and hung it from Syd’s window in honor of your coming. You’ll have to make a speech now.” CHAPTER XII AN ALARMING DISCOVERY Rex come down to the gate to meet them. “I’m sorry that mother isn’t home,” he said. “She’s just had a telegram from Syd that takes her to town and will keep her there with him all night Some business connected with the new house,” he added with a glance at Roy. “But the girls are home and will be delighted to receive you with fitting honors,” he went on. He did not say that he had had quite a time to induce them to appear at all. He had rushed into the house in his impetuous way announcing that Roy was coming along with a young man they had met down at the creek who was a famous author and was so nice, and whom they had invited to tea. “But we don’t know him, Rex,” Eva had exclaimed in considerable dismay. “You oughtn’t to bring strange people to the house in that way.” “Oh, but it’s just the same thing as if we did know him,” and Rex went on to explain about the story he had written, which they had all read and admired.