Then, still holding Stafford's hand, he turned with a smile to Howard.

"You must forgive me, Mr. Howard! I've not seen this boy of mine for a
devil of a time, and I've been looking forward to this meeting very
keenly. The fond parent, you know, eh? But now let me say again how
pleased I am to see you. Stafford has often mentioned you, his closest
chum, and I was almost as anxious to see you as I was to see him."

"You are very kind, Sir Stephen," said Howard--his slow drawl unusually
quickened--for he, too, was touched, though he would have died rather
than have admitted it, by the warmth of Sir Stephen's reception of his
son. "I was afraid that I should be rather _de trop_, if not absolutely
intrusive--"

"Not at all--not at all!" Sir Stephen broke in. "My boy's friends are
mine, especially his own particular pal. You are David and Jonathan,
you two, I know; and Heaven forbid that I should part you! If you'll
consider yourself one of the family, free to come and go just as you
choose, I shall feel grateful to you; yes, that's the word--grateful!"

All this was said in the heartiest way, with the crowd of servants
looking on and listening--though, like well-trained servants, they
appeared both deaf and blind for all the expression that could be seen
in their faces--then Sir Stephen led the way into the drawing-room.