‘The Earl my papa lived with used to bet and gamble, and come home dreadfully late at night, and so did my lady and her daughters, and their poor maid had to sit up for them till four o’clock in the morning. Then their bills! They never told
his lordship, but they sold their diamonds and wore paste. His lordship did not know, but their maid did, and told papa.’
Constance opened her eyes and declared that Uncle Frank and Aunt Mary never could do such things. Moreover, she averred that Lady Adela was always going about among the cottages, and that Miss Morton had not a bit of pride, and was going to live in London to teach the dust-pickers and match-box makers. ‘Indeed, I don’t think they are half as worldly in themselves,’ she said, ‘as Ida is growing with thinking about them.’
‘Ah, don’t you remember the sermon that said worldliness didn’t depend on what one has, but what one is?’
‘Talking of nothing better than sermons!’ said Herbert, coming on them. ‘Have you caught it of the governor, Con? I believe he thinks of nothing but sermons.’
And Constance exclaimed, ‘I am sure he doesn’t preach!’
‘Oh no, nothing comes out of his mouth that he can help; trust him for that.’
‘Then how do you know?’
‘By the stodgy look of him. He would be the awfullest of prosers if he had the gift of the gab.’
‘You are an ungrateful boy,’ said Rose. ‘I am sure he must be very kind to you.’