CHAPTER XXIV. THE SANDS

asmyownSnap—thelittledark,wire-hairedterrier!WhenIspokehisname,heleaptupinmyfaceandyelledforjoy.Almostasmuchdelightedashimself,Icaughtthelittlecreatureinmyarms,andkissedhimrepeatedly.Buthowcamehetobethere?Hecouldnothavedroppedfromthesky,orcomeallthatwayalone:itmustbeeitherhismaster,therat-catcher,orsomebodyelsethathadbroughthimso,repressingmyextravagantcaresses,andendeavouringtorepresshislikewise,Ilookedround,andbeheld—Mr.Weston! “Yourdogremembersyouwell,MissGrey,”saidhe,warmlygraspingthehandIofferedhimwithoutclearlyknowingwhatIwasabout.“Youriseearly.” “Notoftensoearlyasthis,”Ireplied,withamazingcomposure,consideringallthecircumstancesofthecase. “Howfardoyoupurposetoextendyourwalk?” “Iwasthinkingofreturning—itmustbealmosttime,Ithink.” Heconsultedhiswatch—agoldonenow—andtoldmeitwasonlyfiveminutespastseven. “But,doubtless,youhavehadalongenoughwalk,”saidhe,turningtowardsthetown,towhichInowproceededleisurelytoretracemystepsandhewalkedbesideme. “Inwhatpartofthetowndoyoulive?”askedhe.“Inevercoulddiscover.” Nevercoulddiscover?Hadheendeavouredtodosothen?Itoldhimtheplaceofourabode.Heaskedhowweprosperedinouraffairs.Itoldhimweweredoingverywell—thatwehadhadaconsiderableadditiontoourpupilsaftertheChristmasvacation,andexpectedastillfurtherincreaseatthecloseofthis. “Youmustbeanaccomplishedinstructor,”heobserved. “No,itismymother,”Ireplied“shemanagesthingssowell,andissoactive,andclever,andkind.” “Ishouldliketoknowyourmother.Willyouintroducemetohersometime,ifIcall?” “Yes,willingly.” “Andwillyouallowmetheprivilegeofanoldfriend,oflookinginuponyounowandthen?” “Yes,if—Isupposeso.” Thiswasaveryfoolishanswer,butthetruthwas,IconsideredthatIhadnorighttoinviteanyonetomymother’shousewithoutherknowledgeandifIhadsaid,“Yes,ifmymotherdoesnotobject,”itwouldappearasifbyhisquestionIunderstoodmorethanwasexpectedso,supposingshewouldnot,Iadded,“Isupposeso:”butofcourseIshouldhavesaidsomethingmoresens