"I hope, wife, I sha'n't grow uncharitable,"--he actually glared
through his big spectacles,--"but Heaven defend us on our travels from
any further specimens like that woman."
"We shall meet all sorts, probably, Adoniram," said his wife, calmly;
"it really doesn't matter with our party of eight; we can take solid
comfort together."
The little doctor came out of his ill temper, but he said ruefully,
"That's all very well, wife, for you and the Hendersons; for you
steered pretty clear, I noticed, of that woman. Well, she's gone." And
he smiled cheerfully. "Now for dinner, for I suppose Mr. King has
ordered it."
"Yes, he has," said his wife. "And you have a quarter of an hour. I've
put your clothes out all ready."
"All right." The little doctor was already plunging here and there,
tearing off his coat and necktie and boots; and exactly at the time
set, he joined the party, with a bright and shining face, as if no Mrs.
Vanderburgh, or any one in the least resembling her, had ever crossed
his path.
"Jasper," cried Polly, as they hurried along out of the Harwich train
to the steamer that was to take them to the Hook of Holland, "can you
really believe we are almost there?"
* * * * *
"No, I can't," said Jasper, "for I've wanted to see Holland for such a
time."
"Wasn't it good of Grandpapa," cried Polly, "to take us here the first
thing after London?"
"Father always does seem to plan things rightly," answered Jasper, with
a good degree of pride.
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