"Post doesn't go out till five," said Dick. "And we've only one post in
and out a day. This is the last place Providence thought of, and I don't
think it would have mattered much if it had been forgotten altogether."
"It's pretty enough, too, what I saw of it," said Mr. Vernon.
"Oh, it's pretty enough," assented Dick casually; "but it's precious
dull."
"What do you find to do?" asked the sick man, with an attempt at
interest.
"Oh, I ride--when I can borrow a horse--and boat and fish--and fish and
boat."
At that moment a girl's voice, singing in a soft and subdued tone, rose
from below the window.
Mr. Drake Vernon listened for a moment or two, then he asked: "Who is that?"
"That's Nell, caterwauling."
"Your sister has a good voice," remarked Mr. Vernon.
"Oh, yes; Nell sings very well," assented Dick, with a brother's
indifferent patronage.
"And what does your sister find to do?" asked Mr. Vernon.
"Oh, she does ditto to me," said Dick. "Fish, boat--boat, fish; but
since you've been here, of course----"
He stopped awkwardly.
"Yes, I understand. I must have been a terrible bore to you--to you
all," said Mr. Drake Vernon, gravely and regretfully. "I'm very sorry."
"No man can say more; and there's no need for you to say as much, sir,"
remarked Dick philosophically. "As I said, you have been a boon and a
blessing to the women--and I don't mind, now you're getting better and
can stand a little noise."
Mr. Vernon smiled.
"My dear fellow, you can make all the row you like," he said earnestly.
"I'm very much obliged to you for looking in--come in when you care to."
"Thanks," said Dick. "Oh! about the horse. I've had him turned out. I
don't think he's hurt much; only the hair cut; and he'll be all right
again presently."
"I'm glad to hear it. I needn't say that directly he's well enough, you
can----Will you give me that letter again?" he broke off, as if
something had occurred to him.
Dick complied, and Drake Vernon opened it, added a line or two, and
placed it in a fresh envelope.
"There was a message I had to give you, but I've forgotten it," said
Dick, as he took the letter again. "Oh, ah, yes! It was from my sister.
She asked me to ask you if you'd care to have some books. She didn't
quite know whether you ought to read yet?"