There seems something the matter with him though,
as he holds the Major's two hands in his, and looks on his broad handsome
face. Something like a shortness of breath prevented his speech,
and, strange, the Major seems troubled with the same complaint; but
Frank gets over it first, and says,--
"My dear old friend, I am so glad to see you!"
And Mrs. Buckley says, laying her hand upon his arm, "It seems as if
all things were arranged to make my husband and myself the happiest
couple in the world. If we had been asked to-night, whom of all people
in the world we should have been most glad to see as the new Dean, we
should have answered at once, Frank Maberly; and here he is!"
"Then, you did not know whom to expect," said Frank.
"Not we, indeed," said the Major. "Desborough said the new Dean was a
Doctor Maypole; and I pictured to myself an old schoolmaster with a
birch rod in his coat tail-pocket. And we have been in such a stew all
the evening about giving the great man a proper reception. Ha! ha! ha!"
"And will you introduce me to this gentleman?" said the Dean, moving
towards Sam, who stood behind his mother.
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