Indeed, I fancied tears were in his eyes as he said, "So poor Papa and home are too dull--too quiet, eh, Regie?
And yet Papa does all he can for his boy." My fit of ill-temper was gone in a moment, and I flung my arms round my father's neck--Rubens taking flying leaps to join in the embrace, after a fashion common with dogs, and decidedly dangerous to eyes, nose, and ears.

And as I kissed my father, and was kissed by Rubens, I gave a candid account of my expedition.

"No, dear papa.

It wasn't that.

Only Nurse said country places were quiet, and in towns people dropped in, and passed time, and changed the weather, and if she was in Oakford she would drop in and see her sister.