‘Ay, I thought you would be ready for me. I have had a cold, and I am come home to shake off the end of it.’
‘A cold—not a bad one, I hope?’
‘Not very. I wanted Violet to come too, but the boy is poorly.’
‘Oh! I hope there is not much the matter?’
‘Only teeth, I believe. He is desperately fretful, and she can’t attend to anything else.’
‘Well, I hope you are come for a good long visit.’
‘I can stay a week.’
‘That’s right, it will do you good. I was just going to write to you. I have a great mind to go back with you, if I shall not be in the way.’
‘Not at all. It will be famous having you; but what makes you come? To gratify Fotheringham?’
‘I have many reasons. I’ve got Charlie Layton elected to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and I must take him there.’