He saw none of the scenes that had charmed his heart on the outward journey a few days before; for now his sight was either far ahead or entirely inward. When he reached Dexter, it was as if years had passed since he left its smoky little station. Things did not look familiar to him as he went up the old street, because he saw them with new eyes.
Mr. Hodges must have been watching for him, for he opened the door before he reached it.
"Come in, Freddie," he said in a low voice, tiptoeing back to his chair. "I've got great news fur you."
"You need n't tell me what it is," said Brent. "I know that my father is here."
Eliphalet started up. Who told you?" he said; "some blockhead, I'll be bound, who did n't break it to you gently as I would 'a' done. Actu'lly the people in this here town—"
"Don't blame the people, Uncle 'Liph," said the young man, smiling in spite of himself. "I found it out for myself before I arrived; and, I assure you, it was n't gently broken to me either." To the old man's look of bewildered amazement, Brent replied with the story of his meeting with his father.
