"
Now, in the quiet, brooding autumn dusk he came to their doorstep,
dismounted, lifted his hat, smiled that wonderful smile of his, and made a
bow that any courtier might have been proud to make. Behind him, on a brown
horse, was Pedro, his lieutenant--the same monosyllabic Pedro, faithful
unto death, and now as clean as a whistle.
"Ah! my frand!" Pancho said, as he bowed again, "How glad am I to see you.
You glad to see me, too, eh?"
Lucia also had come to the door; likewise Angela--but the latter was still
a bit timid. Even Uncle Henry pushed his way to the sill, and sat like a
lonely man in a gallery while those in the orchestra pressed about their
favorite actor.
"Glad?" exclaimed Gilbert. "I could kiss you, Pancho! But where on earth
have you been? Come in, and tell us everything."
He needed no urging. "Hongry as beeg bear!" he told them.
"Then sit right down," Lucia said, "There's plenty--far more than the last
time you were here!" And they all laughed.
He came into the room, while Pedro took care of the horses.
"Hallo, Oncle Hennery," he greeted the old man in the wheel chair. "You
look splendid! And 'allo, 'Red,'--zat's what zey call you--yes?" Then he
saw the babies, and his eyes fairly popped from his head, "Well, well!" he
cried, "Who 'ave zese leetle fellers!"
"They're not both fellers!" Angela made bold to say.
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