At the same time, of course, Mrs.Foster wrote to her sister Mrs.Hart, giving a full account of all that had happened, but saying that she meant to keep Frank as her own guest for a while, if Mrs.Hart did not seriously object.
That letter made something of a sensation in the Hart family.

Neither Mrs.Hart nor her husband thought of making any objection; for, to tell the truth, it came to them as a welcome relief.
"It's just the best arrangement that could have been made, Maria, all around," said he.

"Write at once, and tell her she may keep him as long as she pleases." That was very well for them, but the boys hardly felt the same way about it.

They had been planning to have "all sorts of fun with that young missionary," in their own house.

He was, as Fuz expressed it, to be "put through a regular course of sprouts, and take the Hindu all out of him." "Never mind, though," said Joe, after the letter came, and the decision of their parents was declared: "we'll serve him out after we get to Grantley.