“Yes; and I see he has taken a wonderful fancy to you.”
“And so have I to him; we have had one or two walks together. He is to come here at twelve o'clock to-day.”
“Now why couldn't you have asked me first, David? The painters are coming into the house to-day; and the paperers, and all, and we can't be bothered with mathematics. You must do them at Font Abbey.” Eve was a little cross. David only laughed at her; but he hesitated about making a school-house of Font Abbey—it would look like intruding.
“Pooh! nonsense,” said Eve; “they will only be too glad to take advantage of your good-nature.”
“He is an orphan,” said David, doggedly.
However, the lesson was given at Font Abbey, and after it Master Nelson came bounding into the drawing-room to the ladies.
“Oh, Lucy, Mr. Dodd is such a beautiful geometrician! He has been giving me a lesson; he is going to give me one every day. He knows a great deal more than my last tutor.” On this Master Nelson was questioned, and revealed that a friendship existed between him and Mr. Dodd such as girls are incapable of (this was leveled at Lucy); being cross-examined as to the date of this friendship, he was obliged to confess that it had only existed four days, but was to last to death.
“But, Arthur,” said Lucy, “will not this take up too much of Mr. Dodd's time? I think you had better consult Uncle Fountain before you make a positive arrangement of the kind.”
“Oh, I have spoken to my guardian about it, and he was so pleased. He said that would save him a mathematical tutor.”
“Oh, then,” said Mrs. Bazalgette, “Mr. Dodd is to teach mathematics gratis.”