"Nor is Mrs. Cricklade's the best place for them," remarked May.
"No; but until we get an answer from Bordeaux, I thought they might as well stay there, as the old woman is very kind to them."
"Well, perhaps you are right," replied May, and was going on to say that she would call and see the children, when to her surprise her husband gave her a look which she knew meant "don't." And if this surprised her, how much more was she amazed to hear Gilbert making some difficulty about admitting the boy to the Greatrex school.
"I fear he hardly belongs to the class for which the school is intended," he remarked. "Most likely, when you have found the relatives, they will be indignant that he should have been sent to a school of this kind. Perhaps we may as well wait a bit, at least."
"Well, sir, I hardly like it for him. He is a fine little fellow, and very innocent. His sister cannot spare time to see after him."
"Still, considering that the grandfather may turn up any day, I hardly like to take the responsibility."
"I will take it upon myself, sir. I have been advising the girl, and I will advise her to send him."
"Oh, very well, then. There is a penny a week to pay, I suppose she can manage that? And threepence a week extra secures to the children a meal in the middle of the day—a good dinner, too, for it is partly provided by Lady Mabel's bequest. That's fourpence a week; you will tell the girl, and the child can begin to-morrow. I will see Mr. Manders about it in the evening."
"Fourpence a week," said Ralph with a sigh. "I will remember, sir."
Then he said good-bye, and departed.