"He's old and infirm- he doesn't leave
his chair."
"Ah, poor man, I'm very sorry!" the girl exclaimed, immediately
moving forward. "I got the impression from your mother that he was
rather- rather intensely active."
Ralph Touchett was silent a moment. "She hasn't seen him for a
year."
"Well, he has a lovely place to sit. Come along, little hound."
"It's a dear old place," said the young man, looking sidewise at his
neighbour.
"What's his name?" she asked, her attention having again reverted to
the terrier.
"My father's name?"
"Yes," said the young lady with amusement; "but don't tell him I
asked you.
They had come by this time to where old Mr. Touchett was sitting,
and he slowly got up from his chair to introduce himself.
"My mother has arrived," said Ralph, "and this is Miss Archer."
The old man placed his two hands on her shoulders, looked at her a
moment with extreme benevolence and then gallantly kissed her. "It's a
great pleasure to me to see you here; but I wish you had given us a
chance to receive you."
"Oh, we were received," said the girl. "There were about a dozen
servants in the hall. And there was an old woman curtseying at the
gate.
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