"My lord annoyed? Oh, dear, not at all. My mother, you know, was a confidential servant—almost a friend; and he is just as kind to me. If you like to let Frank stay here, I'll take the best of care of him—you know that."
"Yes; so you said in the kind letter I sent on to Fred. And he has sent me word by my brother to leave them with you if you really can have them without being troubled about it afterwards."
"To leave them both?"
"Yes; Fred is ill and in trouble, and Gilbert says I had better go at once. Gilbert has plans for us, but it is not quite certain yet where we shall be. I am to go to Gattigo to my brother, and Fred will meet me there, and when we know where we shall settle, we will get the boys out. It will not be for long. Gilbert thinks of setting up an hotel in Gattigo, with Fred and me to manage it. And when we are quite settled, and can make you comfortable, you must come out to us, grandma. However pleasant things may be made for you here, it is not like being in your own house with your own people."
"No, indeed, Janet, it's a deadly dull life here for one used to sociability and a large town. I often think of Hemsborough and the dear old gatehouse. I might be of use, too, in an hotel. Well, Maria is a good girl, and will help me willingly, and, as you say, it will not be for long. And what trouble is Fred in, poor dear fellow?"
"He went into partnership with a man he had known before, and this man, Turner, was not dealing fairly, and he had to run away, and Fred's money was all lost."
"If this Turner is the man who broke some years ago in Hemsborough, Fred ought to have known better than to have dealings with him. So he lost all he had?"
"Yes—but it was not much. Gilbert has got on very well, and seems sure that this hotel will succeed. But Fred was ill when the letter was written, and Gilbert says I ought to be there. They both wish me to come without the boys, but if you cannot have them, I shall take them with me." And Janet's face brightened a little, for oh! How much rather would she take them than leave them!
But Mrs. Rayburn was determined not to say anything which could make Janet think that her position at Kelmersdale was not as independent and pleasant in every way as she had represented it, so she declared that my lord would be quite pleased to know that she had the darling boys for company.
"For he knows it is a lonely life here, and he is so kind-hearted. But, you see, things were going all wrong for want of a really trustworthy confidential person at the head of the household. He will not be here till the middle of August, and perhaps not till September. Of course, they might be in the way then. But there's time enough, and you know, Janet, I'd do anything for you and Fred."