And indeed, further intercourse, though not without shocks and casualties, made Mary
Northmoor wish that Letitia Bury had been the permanent inhabitant; above all, when she undertook to come and give her counsel and support for that first tremendous undertaking—the dinner-party. Lady Kenton was equally helpful at their next; and Sir Edward gave much good advice to his lordship as to not letting himself be made the tool of the loud-voiced squire, who was anxious to be his guide, philosopher, and friend in county business—advice that made Frank’s heart sink, for thus far he felt only capable of sitting still and listening.
CHAPTER XIV
WESTHAVEN VERSIONS OF HONOURS
‘Thank you, a bit of partridge, Mr. Rollstone, if you please.’
‘Excuse me, Mrs. Grover. This is a grouse from Lord Northmoor’s own moors, I presume,’ replied Mr. Rollstone, to the tune of a peal of laughter from Herbert and exclamation—‘Not know a grouse!’—for which Ida frowned at him.
‘Yes, indeed,’ said his mother; ‘we had so much game up at my brother’s, Lord Northmoor’s, that I shall quite miss it now I am come away.’
‘Flimsy sort of grub!’ growled an old skipper. ‘Only fit for this sort of a tea—not to make a real meal on, fit for “a man”!’
The young folk laughed. Captain Purdy was only invited as a messmate of Mrs. Morton’s father.
‘You’ll excuse this being only a tea,’ went on Mrs. Morton. ‘I hope to have a dinner in something more of style if ever I return here, but I could not attempt it with my present establishment after what we have got accustomed to. Why,