‘Dear Arthur, you know—’
‘I know I won’t trust myself,’ he answered, trying to laugh it off. ‘And you’ll be a good child, and not cry for the cottage?’
‘Oh, no! Mamma and I both thought there might possibly be considerations against it, especially as the girls grow up.’
‘That’s right. I could not bear giving up what you seemed to fancy. but we will visit them when we want a mouthful of air, and Annette and Octavia shall come and stay with us. I should like to show Octavia a little of the world.’
‘Then, we shall go on as we are?’
‘Yes; spend as little as may be, and pay off so much a year. If we keep no horses, that is so much clear gain.’
‘That seems the best way; but I almost fear your being well without riding.’
‘No fear of that! I don’t want to go out, and you never do. We will take our long walks, and, as Percy says, I will read and be rational. I mean to begin Johnnie’s Latin as soon as we are settled in. Why, I quite look forward to it.’
‘How delighted Johnnie will be!’
‘We shall do famously!’ repeated Arthur. ‘Nothing like home, after all.’