"Yes, there it is. I don't defend the action, Marjie. I only say that it is nothing new, that it is the same Harvey whom we have known. He does not object to doing what is right, but he will do what is wrong rather than be inconvenienced. And he is ready to do any amount of kindness, after a lazy fashion, only self must be considered first."
"I don't think his hurrying home from Paris was lazy."
So Marjory had actually begun to defend her quondam hero.
Mr. Fitzalan laughed to himself in a noiseless style.
"Laziness has a variety of developments," he said, and the subject was dropped.
Not, however, for very long. Dinner over, Marjory had one of her necessary short rests on the couch, for she was far from strong. She lay perfectly still, after her usual wont, with shut eyes, and long thin fingers lightly crossed, not knowing, and for the moment not much caring, what other people were after. Very soon she would have to rise and bestir herself for afternoon Sunday-school. The short intervening space had to be utilised to the utmost.
Mr. Fitzalan's voice in the passage broke in upon her stillness.
"Hermione! How do you do? You are early to-day, and alone."
"Yes; I came to make excuses for my grandfather," Hermione's silver voice answered. "He seems to feel the heat so much, I have persuaded him to stay in for once, and Harvey is there too, so it really is best. Can you possibly manage without my grandfather?"
"Certainly. If no one else can take his class, I will do it myself. Come and see Marjory. You need not start for a few minutes."