‘Or one’s mankind to encouraging it,’ said Honor, smiling, but showing that she was hurt.
‘I don’t encourage it; I am only too wise to give it the zest of opposition. Was Lucy ever bent upon a naughty trick without being doubly incited by the pleasure of showing that she cared not for her younger brother?’
‘I believe you are only too lazy! But, will you go? I don’t think it can be a penance. You would see new country, and get plenty of sport.’
‘Come with me, Honey,’ said he with the most insinuating manner, which almost moved her. ‘How jolly it would be!’
‘Nonsense! an elderly spinster,’ she said, really pleased, though knowing it impossible.
‘Stuff!’ he returned in the same tone. ‘Make it as good as a honeymoon. Think of Killarney, Honor!’
‘You silly boy, I can’t. There’s harvest at home; besides, it would only aggravate that mad girl doubly to have me coming after her.’
‘Well, if you will not take care of me on a literal wild-goose chase,’ said Owen, with playful disconsolateness, ‘I’ll not answer for the consequences.’
‘But, you go?’
‘Vacation rambles are too tempting to be resisted; but, mind, I don’t promise to act good genius save at the last extremity, or else shall never get forgiven, and I shall keep some way in the rear.’