CHAPTER XIII

IN THE METROPOLIS

New York!

A magic word to Dorothy Calvert, and as she stepped from the train in the great Pennsylvania railway station, curiosity and interest were expressed in her glance. Not since her trip to California with Aunt Betty and Ephraim had the girl been in Gay Gotham, which, to her, had always been a place of great enchantment.

The noise of the trains, the clangor of trucks, as they were whirled up and down the station platform by the baggagemen; the noise of the subway and surface cars, mingled with countless other sounds, were sufficient to distract any girl's attention, and Dorothy came out of her reverie and turned, only when Aunt Betty cried out from the car steps:

"Dorothy Calvert, wherever are you going?"

"Oh, I--"

"Are you going to leave me behind?"

"I--I--why, auntie--I--"

"One would think you had never been in a great city before. Wait for me! Remember, I am going everywhere you go. You did not bring me this far from Bellvieu to leave me in the lurch, young lady."

"Goodness knows, I had no idea of doing anything of the sort, auntie."

"Well, you just wait! I'm not as spry as I used to be."

Jim Barlow carefully helped Aunt Betty to the platform, while Ephraim followed with a load of suit cases. Then came Herr and Frau Deichenberg, each with a little hand satchel, the professor guarding jealously his beloved violin. No heavy luggage for the Deichenbergs, the Frau had told Aunt Betty on the journey up from Baltimore.

"Ve shan't be here for long; de concert occurs to-morrow night, und ve shall go straight back home vhen ve are t'rough," was the way she put it.

The Herr was attired in his customary black. He had maintained his usual phlegmatic manner all through the journey, and apparently had no intention of departing from it now. Having spent many years in New York after his arrival in America, the city's fascination for the average mortal seemed to make no appeal to him.

Once off the train, Jim began to search diligently in the crowd for a familiar face. For a moment a blank look expressed his disappointment. Then his features lighted up and he waved his hand at a tall, spectacled gentleman who came eagerly forward to meet him.

"Jim, I am glad to see you," greeted this individual.

"And I to see you, Dr. Sterling."

A hearty hand-clasp followed.

"Why it _is_ Dr. Sterling!" cried Aunt Betty, adjusting her gla.s.ses that she might better see him. "How good it seems to find you here in New York. How did you leave things up the Hudson, and especially at Deerhurst?"

"Same as of yore," he replied. "Hans and Griselda, faithful souls, are keeping the place in spick and span condition." His face lighted suddenly. "And here is Miss Dorothy, grown into a tall young lady since last I saw her."

"Don't accuse me of being too tall, Dr. Sterling," said Dorothy, in a tone of mild reproof. "That is getting to be a sore subject with me.

I have no intention of being either a toothpick or a beanstalk, though if what my friends tell me is true, I am in a fair way to be either, or both."

Dr. Sterling laughed.

"You mustn't mind a bit of a joke, you know. You are at an age where nothing can stop your growth. Your height seems to you exaggerated--that's all--and your friends merely perpetuate the belief with the idea of teasing you."

"I'll take your word for that, doctor. And now, let me present my music teacher, Herr Deichenberg, and Mrs. Deichenberg," Dorothy then said.

The introductions were duly acknowledged, after which the party went into the station, and thence to the street beyond.

"Where are you going to stop?" Dr. Sterling wanted to know, as he turned an inquisitive glance on Aunt Betty.

"I've forgotten the name of the place," replied the mistress of Bellvieu, "but Herr Deichenberg can enlighten you. He wired ahead for the rooms."

"It iss de Arlington," the music master vouchsafed. "De proprietor iss a personal friend of mine, und de accommodations vill be of de very best."

"Then I shall immediately change my quarters," said the genial doctor. "I am farther down town, but as we are to be in the city but a couple of days, it is well for us to be together as much as possible."

This programme was followed to the letter, and before noon Dorothy and Aunt Betty had washed, and changed their attire for fresh, clean linen suits, after which they announced themselves in readiness for any events that might be on the programme.

Dr. Sterling, who had been holding a conference with Jim, proposed a boat trip down the bay.

"Oh, that will be delightful," Dorothy said. "How can it be arranged?"

"I have a friend in New York, a Mr. Ronald, who owns a very handsome private yacht. This he has placed at my disposal on all occasions. I shall immediately call him up by 'phone and find if the boat is available for this afternoon."

This the doctor did, and returned a few moments later with the good news that Mr. Ronald would personally see that the party viewed all the sights of the bay and river front.

While at lunch one of the surprises of the day revealed itself in the shape of Judge Breckenridge and Molly, who walked in on the astonished Calverts totally unannounced.

"Molly!"

"Dorothy!"

These exclamations were followed by a bear-like hug as the girls flew into each other's arms. Many of the diners became interested and stopped eating long enough to watch the lingering embrace to the end.

The Judge shook hands all around, then places were made for him and Molly at the table occupied by Aunt Betty, Dorothy and Jim.

Dorothy quickly won their promise to go down the bay in the yacht, and lunch over, the party immediately made preparations to start.

Herr Deichenberg and his wife were sure the trip would prove rather trying for them, as neither was fond of the water, so decided to remain at the hotel and receive Mr. Ludlow, who was due at four o'clock.

Upon Dorothy's insisting that perhaps she had better stay and meet the manager, also, the Herr shook his head.

"No, no; dat iss entirely unnecessary."

"Then give him my regards, and say that I shall see him to-night or in the morning," cried the girl.

"I vill do dat. In de meantime enjoy yourself. Forget there iss such a t'ing as a concert. To-morrow night, vhen you stand before de great audience in de theater, iss time enough to t'ink of dat."

Aunt Betty at first thought she, too, would remain behind, but after lunch she was feeling in such unusually good spirits that she announced her intention of going, if only to have an old-time chat with the Judge.

"Auntie, you are getting younger every day," cried Dorothy, pleased that her relative was so spry at her advanced age.