Edward guessed, by his mother's face, that she did _not_ wish he was in Texas.

Mr.Minturn came in presently, and Edward stole into the room just behind him; but Alice called him eagerly: "Edward, Ray has come! Come over here and see him." "Go ahead," said Mr.Minturn, as Edward stood still, with very red cheeks; and Ray sat up and held out his hand.
"How do you do, Edward?
Alice has been making me acquainted with you this afternoon, so you're not a stranger." How very clear and kind his tones were! Edward was astonished.

That same evening he was more astonished.

He was in the library, at work over his books; Mr.Minturn had to go to a committee meeting, expecting to be detained late; as he arose from the dinner-table, he said,-- "How am I to get in to-night?
Here's my night-key in two pieces." "I'll be night-key, sir," said Edward promptly.
"Well, you may; you can take your books to the library, and have a long evening to pore over them." So he was there, poring over them with all his might, when the door opened gently, and Ray Minturn came in.
"Are you hard at work ?" he asked kindly.
"Yes, sir," said Edward, wishing he would go out again.

But he didn't seem in a hurry to do so; he took a book from the case, and glanced over it a moment, then came towards Edward.
"What are you studying ?" "Fractions," answered Edward briefly.
"Do you have any trouble ?" "Yes, lots," speaking a little crossly, for he wanted to go on with his work; "I can't get this one I'm at, to save my head." "Suppose I see what is the matter." And Ray drew a chair to the table and sat down, glancing his eye over the slate.
"Rather, suppose you see for yourself," he said in a few moments.