"You are a good sister, and need have no fear. I am not made of the stuff to go down before that bully's sword. So get ready my favourite dish—whatever that may be—and I'll promise to do justice to it."
"Here are your rooms," she said, a moment later, as she stopped before a large wide house. "They are on the ground floor with those windows. But before we go in, remember your manservant's name is Vosk, and he is a very sharp fellow. And please let me give you a word of warning. Alexis has not only not been attentive to me, but his manner has often been very brusque and—oh, if you had had sisters you would know how brothers behave. They don't mind turning their backs on one; they contradict, and interrupt and laugh at one; treat one as a convenience, and are rude. They don't in the least mind hiding their affection under the garb of indifference and contempt, and all that."
"Am I to treat you with contempt, then?" I asked with a grin.
"I think you should be a little more brusque," she replied, laughing and blushing. She was really a very jolly little sister.
"I shall get into it all in a day or two, perhaps."
"You had better try. Vosk is very sharp indeed."
"All right, I'll find means somehow to dull his wits."
We went in and I then tried to put a little more bluntness into my manner and to play the brother.
The man was in his room when I entered and started when he saw the change in my appearance. I caught his vigilant eye glance sharply at the pattern and cut of my clothes.
"Does your face hurt you now, Alexis?" asked Olga.