Nestor, whatever else he was, proved to be a prudent
father. He did not immediately go into the front room,
whither Mary and Tom hastened, their voices mingling in talk
and laughter.
Mr. Nestor, after leaving the young folks alone for a
while, with a loud "Ahem!" and a rattling of his paper as he
laid it aside, started for the parlor.
"Good-evening, Mr. Nestor!" said Tom, rising to shake
hands with the father of his young and pretty hostess.
"Hello, Tom!" was the cordial greeting, in return. "What's
going on up at your place?" went on Mr. Nestor, as he took a
chair.
"Oh, nothing very special," Tom answered. "We're turning
out different kinds of machines as usual, and dad and I are
experimenting, also as usual"
"I suppose so. But what nearly broke the fence to-night?"
Tom started, and looked quickly at his host.
"Were you there?" he asked quickly.
"Well, I happened to be passing--took a short cut home--and
I heard some queer goings on at your place. I was
speaking to Mary about them, and wondering--"
"Father, perhaps Tom doesn't want to talk about his
inventions," interrupted Mary.
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