Good-night to you." And he departed, sighing in perplexity.
On his way home, preoccupied with many thoughts, he walked so slowly that once or twice he stopped and stood motionless for a few moments, without being aware of it; and when he reached the juncture of the sidewalk with the short brick path that led to his own front door, he stopped again, and stood for more than a minute.

"Ah, I wish I knew," he whispered, plaintively.

"I do wish I knew what he thought about it." He was roused by a laugh that came lightly from the little veranda near by.

"Papa!" Alice called gaily.

"What are you standing there muttering to yourself about ?" "Oh, are you there, dearie ?" he said, and came up the path.