Wilford inquired for Katy. Was she well, and how was she occupying her
time this winter?

"Both Helen and Katy are pupils of mine," Morris replied, "reciting
their lessons to me every day when the weather will admit of their
crossing the fields to Linwood. We have often wondered what had become
of you, that you did not even let us know of your safe arrival home," he
added, looking Wilford fully in the eye, and rather enjoying his
confusion as he tried to apologize.

He had intended writing, but an unusual amount of business had occupied
his time. "Mark will tell you how busy I was," and he turned appealingly
to his partner, in whose expressive eyes Morris read that Silverton was
not unknown to him.

But if Wilford had told him anything derogatory of the farmhouse or its
inmates, it did not appear in Mr. Ray's manner, as he replied that Mr.
Cameron had been very busy ever since his return from Silverton, adding:
"From what Cameron tells me of your neighborhood there must be some
splendid hunting and fishing there, and I had last fall half a mind to
try it."

This time there was something comical in the eyes turned so
mischievously upon Wilford, who colored scarlet for an instant, but soon
recovered his composure, and invited Morris home with him to dinner.

"I shall not take a refusal," he said, as Morris began to decline.
"Mother and the young ladies will be delighted to see you again, while
Jamie--well, Jamie, I believe, worships the memory of the physician who
was so kind to him in France. You did Jamie a world of good, Dr. Grant,