Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/294

Rh "Come again to-morrow!" called Conrad.

"Yes," said Father Johann.

"It will be an excellent thing for Lord Conrad," said Father Johann to the Duchess that evening. "I know the child's parents. They are decent, honest folk, and the boy is like them. It is written in his face."

The Duchess looked doubtful.

"I reverence your judgment, Father," she said, "but my darling boy—can a rude peasant lad be a fit playmate for one brought up as he has been?"

"Dear lady," replied Father Johann, with his winning smile, "it is exactly because of the way your son has been brought up that I think Dolf a good companion for him."

"At least, you will not leave them alone until you have studied the boy carefully!"

"I promise that," said the tutor willingly.