‘Ask, and you will discover,’ said Claude.
Accordingly, Maurice began the next morning at breakfast, ‘Papa, may I have a piece of plate-glass, eighteen by—?’
But no one heard, for Emily was at the moment saying, ‘The Westons are to dine here to-day.’
Claude and Maurice both looked blank.
‘I persuaded papa to ask the Westons,’ said Lily, ‘because I am determined that Claude shall like Alethea.’
‘You must expect that I shall not, you have given me so many orders on the subject,’ said Claude.
‘Take care it has not the same effect as to tell Maurice to like a book,’ said Emily; ‘nothing makes his aversion so certain.’
‘Except when he takes it up by mistake, and forgets that it has been recommended to him,’ said Claude.
‘Take care, Redgie, with your knife; don’t put out my eyes in your ardour against that wretched wasp. Wat Greenwood may well say “there is a terrible sight of waspses this year.”’
‘I killed twenty-nine yesterday,’ said Reginald.