If my brother Dick should drop in I'd welcome him, and he would make our little party perfect.

Do you know, Nina, Dick can be so jolly.

What's that?
there are voices there without.' As she spoke the door was opened, and Walpole entered.

The young girls had but time to rise from their seats, when--they never could exactly say how--they found themselves shaking hands with him in great cordiality.
'And your friend--where is he ?' 'Nursing a sore throat, or a sprained ankle, or a something or other.

Shall I confess it--as only a suspicion on my part, however--that I do believe he was too much shocked at the outrageous liberty I took in asking to be admitted here to accept any partnership in the impertinence ?' 'We expected you at two or three o'clock,' said Nina.
'And shall I tell you why I was not here before?
Perhaps you'll scarcely credit me when I say I have been five hours on the road.' 'Five hours! How did you manage that ?' 'In this way.