Circumstances had obliged my aunt to perform the last stage of her journey to Frankfort by the night mail.

She had only stopped at our house on her way to the hotel; being unwilling to trespass on the hospitality of her partners, while she was accompanied by such a half-witted fellow as Jack.

Mr.Keller, however, refused even to hear of the head partner in the business being reduced to accept a mercenary welcome at an hotel.

One whole side of the house, situated immediately over the offices, had been already put in order in anticipation of Mrs.Wagner's arrival.

The luggage was then and there taken off the carriage; and my aunt was obliged, by all the laws of courtesy and good fellowship, to submit.
This information was communicated to me by Joseph, on my return from an early visit to one of our warehouses at the riverside.