"Is that the brother who was with her in the waiting-room—tall and nice-looking?" I'm afraid I said this to tease Rupert.
"That's the young puppy," he said gruffly; and he marched out of the room.
"Where is he going to sleep?" I asked, following Rupert with more pieces of the bed.
"Don't know and don't care! Not here!" said Rupert, still more gruffly.
When we got downstairs, he went up again, but he wouldn't let me go too. He said I was tired, and I had better stay where I was. In a few minutes he was putting the bedstead together in the corner I chose. Then he brought the mattress, and to save time, I let him help me make the bed, though he was clumsy enough at it. He looked glum too, and as if his mind wasn't on what he had to do.
"Nobody else hurt except Miss Russell?" I asked presently.
"Nothing to speak of, except the stoker, and he's able to go on. It's a wonder there wasn't a lot killed. Your father looks bad still. I say, you spoke up bold for him, Kitty!"
"Why shouldn't I?" I asked.
"I don't know. I didn't suppose it was in, you," says he. "And they liked you all the better for it too. I could see that."
Then he told me that the Earl was a relation to Lady Arthur—uncle, I think—and that Mr. Arthur was come to stop for a night or two at the big house. And then I told him he had better take word the room was ready.