“It is difficult to make out what he means, Mamma,” replied a daughter.
“These fellows are always intriguing for higher wages,” observed the subaltern.
“Or to engage with people of greater consequence,” remarked the second son.
“We had better send for the tutor, Mamma; he speaks French better than we do.”
This proposition—albeit not accepted as a compliment to themselves by the two brothers—was at last acceded to, and, after a brief delay, the individual in question made his appearance. To avoid any semblance of understanding what went forward, I stood in patient silence, not even turning my head in the direction where the family were now grouped around the “Dragoman.”
“You are to find out what he wants,” said the old lady, eagerly. “Say that we are perfectly satisfied with him; and if it be an increase—”
“That he 'll not get a sou more with my consent,” broke in the sub. “He receives already more than a captain in the line.”
“I only know that I never had as much to spend at Cambridge,” echoed the other.
“They are always extravagantly paid,” said the elder daughter.
“The creatures give themselves such airs,” observed number two.