'I thought Fane was here,' said Mr. Egremont as he came in; no doubt told by Gregorio.
'He has been, but he is gone.'
'You didn't ask him to stay and dine?'
'I did not know you wished it.'
'You might have known that I should have liked to see him. I suppose you think your sweet self society enough for any man?'
'I am sorry—'
'I'm sick of hearing you are sorry! I believe there's nothing you like so well as doing an ungracious thing to a friend of mine.'
Nuttie had learnt to hold her tongue on such occasions.
Dinner was nearly over, and her father had been grumbling again at having no one to take a hand at cards with him, when the door opened a little way, and Alwyn's pretty glowing face looked in. He was come to say good-night rather later than usual, and he ran up to his sister with a little bouquet of yellow banksia and forget-me-nots. 'Mithter Button'—so Alwyn called him—'sent you this. He said you would like it, 'cause it came from one that grew at Mittletwait. And oh, look, look!'
He was hugging a little ship, which he proudly exhibited, while his father's brow had darkened at the message. 'Did you buy that?' asked his sister.