“We always lay down an ancient floorcloth in the bay window before the boys come home,” said Carey, laughing. “Here, Bobus.”
And as he came out headforemost at the window, the two ladies discreetly drew off to leave the conversation free.
“So, Brownlow,” said Mr. Ogilvie, “I hear you don’t want to try your luck elsewhere.”
“No, sir.”
“Do you object to telling me why?”
“I see no use in it,” said Bobus, never shy, and further aided by the twilight; “I do quite well enough here.”
“Should you not do better in a larger field among a higher stamp of boys?”
“Public school boys are such fools!”
“And what are the Kenites?”
“Well, not much,” said Bobus, with a twitch in the corner of his mouth; “but I can keep out of their way.”