With a bow to the
Jerrolds, who were among the few she condescended to notice, she passed
on to where her coachman and footman waited for her, while Bessie ran
hastily down the platform towards a tall, sickly looking man, who almost
tottered as he walked, while a sudden pallor about his lips told how
weak he was.
"Oh, Neil, I am so glad--and so sorry, too. I did not think you were
like this," Bessie cried, as she took both his hands in hers, and,
standing on tiptoe, kissed the quivering lips, which could not for a
moment speak to her "You are very tired," she continued, as Grey came
up and, after greeting the stranger cordially, offered him his arm.
"You are very tired from the voyage and the journey here, it is so hot
and dusty; but you will rest now, our house is so cool and the air here
so pure. There, let me help you, too."
And in her eagerness, Bessie passed her arm through Neil's, or rather
put it around him, and thus supported, the sick man went slowly to the
open carriage, where Jennie had the children with the exception of
little Neil, who, finding himself overlooked, was cultivating the
station master and telling him that the dark-looking man was his Uncle
Neil from India, and that they were to have ice cream for dinner in
honor of his arrival, and he was to go to the table and have two saucers
full.
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