CHAPTER XVII.
A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.
I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.
The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.
The house was even livelier than when I left it.

There was a married couple visiting there, enthusiastic devotees of golf; one of Mr.
Walter's college friends was with him; and, to my surprise, Miss Amy Willoughby was there again.
Genevieve received me with the greatest warmth, and I could see that her hopes of a gentleman friend revived.

Little Clara demanded to be kissed as soon as she saw me, and I think she now looked upon me as a permanent uncle or something of that kind.

As soon as possible I was escorted by the greater part of the family to see the bear.
Miss Edith had welcomed me as if I had been an old friend.