“I occupy myself chiefly with Nelly McQuinch. Marian is my assistant’s pupil, and he has made a very expert workwoman of her already. With a little direction, she can put a machine together as well as I can.”
“I am delighted to hear it. And dear Nelly?”
“Oh, dear Nelly treats the subject in her usual way. But she is very amusing.”
“Ah, Jasper! Ah! An unstable nature there, an unstable nature! Elinor has not been firmly trained. She needs to be tried by adversity.”
“No doubt she will be. Most of us are.”
“And dear Constance? Does she study?”
“No.”
“Ahem! A—have you——? That is St. Mildred’s yonder, is it not?”
“It is. They have put a new clock in the tower, worth about sixty pounds. I believe they collected a hundred and fifty for the purpose. But you were going to say something else.”
“No. At least, I intended to ask you about Marmaduke. He is coming down, I understand.”