"Yes, your father and I have been like brothers since we were little fellows.

It seems absurd to think of him in any other relation." "But what about going home?
isn't it time, as papa thinks ?" "That you shall decide, _ma chere_; our life here has been very delightful to me, and to you also, I hope." "Very, if we had your mother and papa and mamma and the children here, I should like to stay all winter.

But as it is I think we ought to return soon." He assented, and after a little more consultation they decided to go soon--not later than the middle of the next week, but the day was not set..