"We don't want you, Bob," said Mrs. Lethbridge to her son; "go and join the gentlemen."
"I'd sooner stop here, mother," said Robert.
"Go away, there's a good boy," said the mother; "you will only put things back."
Robert, however, showed no inclination to leave the kitchen, but hovered about Phœbe like a butterfly about a flower.
"Do you hear what mother says?" demanded Fanny, imperiously; she was given to lord it occasionally over her brother. "Go at once, and listen to the gentlemen, and have your mind improved."
"Now you're chaffing me," said Robert, "and you know that always puts my back up."
Mrs. Lethbridge looked around with affectionate distraction in her aspect.
"Go, Robert," said Phœbe.
"Not if you call me 'Robert,' said he.
"Well, Bob."