“That I will!” he cried. “And, Mother Carey, will you model me a group of the birds? That would be a jolly present!”
“Better than Esther’s head, eh? I have done that three times, and you shall choose one, Cecil.”
Nothing would serve Cecil but an immediate expedition to the studio, to choose as well as they could by lamp-light.
And during the examination, Mrs. Evelyn managed to say to Caroline, “I’m quite satisfied. She is as bright and childish as you told me.”
“Essie?”
“No, the Infanta.”
“If she is not a little too much so.”
“Oh no, don’t wish any difference in those high spirits!”
“She makes it a cheerful house, dear child; and even Allen has brightened lately.”
“And, Jock? He looks hard-worked, but brisk as ever.”