I am sure I am glad to see the
young man home. But familiarity of that kind's not becoming. Your father
never would have married me if I had allowed familiarity of that kind."
"You must blame me; it was all my fault," said Tite, handing Mattie to a
chair, and advancing toward Mrs. Chapman.
"You have been away a long time, haven't you," said the lady, receiving
his hand in a cold and formal manner. "You are very much changed--the
effect of the sea-air on the complexion, I suppose? We shall be very
glad to see you at any time, Mr. Toodleburg. It was so late we didn't
expect visitors, and were not prepared for them. You said you had not
seen your aged parents?"
"Not yet," replied Tite, "but I shall proceed there soon."
"It was very kind of you," resumed the lady, "to pay us this compliment.
How very anxious they must be to see you."
"And I am equally anxious to see them," he replied; "but I could not
pass without seeing you--just for a few minutes." Then turning to
Mattie, he exchanged kisses with her, kissed her good-night, to the
great distress of her mother, who was compelled to look on.
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