‘What does Robert Devereux say?’
‘Really, Rotherwood, I could show you—’
‘Show me? No; if rockets are so perilous I shall have nothing to do with them. Stand still, Cedric! Just tell me about Ada. Is there much harm done?’
‘Her face is scorched a good deal, but they say it will soon be right.’
‘I am glad—we will send to inquire to-morrow, but I cannot come—ha, ha! a new infernal machine. Good-bye, Friar Bacon.’
Away he went, and Maurice stood looking after him with complacent disdain. ‘There they go, Cedric and Rotherwood, equally well provided with brains! What is the use of talking science to either?’
It was late when he reached the house, and his two sisters shortly came down to tea, with news that Adeline was asleep and Phyllis was going to bed. The accident was again talked over.
‘Well,’ said Emily, ‘I do not understand it, but I suppose papa will.’
‘The telling papa is a bad part of the affair, with William and Eleanor there too,’ said Jane.
‘I do not mean to speak to Phyllis about it again,’ said Emily, ‘it makes her cry so terribly.’