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“I have a strong case—” Dick was beginning, but he was cut short.

“It is Dick,” said the oracle sweetly.

“You take his word for it?” asked her father.

“No, I identify him,” Alice answered with a quiet smile; “and he hasn’t altered so very much, when one looks at him.”

Dick turned his head and met her eyes; they were serene and friendly. “Thank you,” he said to her, with gratitude in his voice. And, indeed, he felt grateful to them all; to the Colonel for his ponderous pleasantry, to Alice for her unembarrassed manner, to Mr. Miles for the good taste he showed in minding his own business. (He had strolled over to the window.)

“And when did you land?” inquired the Colonel.

“This morning.”

“Only this morning!” exclaimed Alice; “then I think it was too good of you to come and see us so soon; don’t you, papa?”

Very kind of him indeed, papa thought. Dick was pleased; but he thought they might have understood his eagerness. Alice, at any rate, should not have been surprised and probably was not. “I couldn’t put it off,” he said, frankly.