"I hope not," chimed in Reg, emphatically.
"I don't think you need fear that," said Hal with light cynicism. "Fellows of his stamp have nine lives. If he were a useful man in the world then I should despair."
"What do you intend doing now?" asked Goody, anxiously.
"We intend going to Eastella and bringing your daughter to reason," said Hal, with determination.
"I admire your perseverance, but I am afraid you will be doomed to disappointment, for she always had a will of her own, but I never knew how strong it was until now."
"Never fear, sir. So far we have succeeded and I have no doubt our success will continue."
"And what shall I do?" asked Goody.
"Well, if you have any friends here, I suggest you should go to them for a day or two."
"You don't mean to desert me?" asked the old man, with a perplexity almost comic.
"Not by any means, sir. But we intend to live at Eastella, and for many reasons it would be better for you not to go with us. If we left you alone, I am afraid you would fret and worry, so I thought if you had an old acquaintance who would cheer you up—"