'
Polly was sitting beside little John, but I tapped at the door, and told
her a friend of mine had just arrived from London, and asked her if she
thought it would be possible to get him some tea. Just at this moment
Duncan came in, and the two good souls did all in their power to do
honour to my guest. The whitest tablecloth was spread on the round
table, the very finest herrings were cooked, round after round of crisp
brown toast was buttered and put before the fire to keep hot, and all
was ready in so short a time that Tom was astonished.
He did full justice to the meal, and seemed to appreciate my quarters
better after he had partaken of it. Then he declared himself tired out,
so I walked with him up to the hotel. He was in high spirits, and was
much looking forward to the time we were to have there together, and to
all the walks we should take to the places round.
Was I glad that he had come? I asked myself this question many times
that night. I was fond of Tom; he had been like a brother to me, and
yet--and yet--I wished he had not come to Runswick Bay.
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