“He’s cosmopolitan,” said Sir Otho; “lives all over the world. But he’s a dear vagabond, and as long as we can keep him here, we’re going to do so.”
“Not long,” said Austin, shaking his head. “I’m just down for a whiffling trip, and then off again to a summer clime.”
“Oh, you can change your plans,” said Lady Kitty, easily. “I’ve known you to do it before. And I’m sure I can persuade you now, for I’ve Miss Fairfield to help me coax you.”
“Oh, I’m no good at coaxing,” said saucy Patty, who was not yet quite sure that she liked this rather audacious young man.
“But I’ll teach you how to coax prettily,” he said; “and then when you learn, you can coax me to do anything, and I’ll allow myself to be persuaded.”
“Allow yourself indeed!” said Patty. “Probably you won’t be able to help yourself!”
“Probably not,” he responded, with his unfailing concurrence.
CHAPTER II
A SUMMONS HOME
AFTERNOON tea was in progress, and as a light rain had set in, it was being served in the billiard-room.