Not a word passed between Norman and Harry on the school misadventure, but, after the outbreak of the latter, he treated it as a thing forgotten, and brought all his high spirits to enliven the family party. Richard, too, returned later on the same day, and though not received with the same uproarious joy as Harry, the elder section of the family were as happy in their way as what Blanche called the middle-aged. The Daisy was brought down, and the eleven were again all in the same room, though there were suppressed sighs from some, who reflected how long it might be before they could again assemble.
Tea went off happily in the garden, with much laughing and talking. “Pity to leave such good company!” said the doctor, unwillingly rising at last—“but I must go to the Union—I promised Ward to meet him there.”
“Oh, let me walk with you!” cried Harry.
“And me!” cried other voices, and the doctor proposed that they should wait for him in the meads, and extend the walk after the visit. Richard and Ethel both expressing their intention of adhering to Margaret—the latter observing how nice it would be to get rid of everybody, and have a talk.
“What have we been doing all this time?” said Dr. May, laughing.
“Chattering, not conversing,” said Ethel saucily.
“Ay! the Cocksmoor board is going to sit,” said Dr. May.
“What is a board?” inquired Blanche, who had just come down prepared for her walk.
“Richard, Margaret, and Ethel, when they sit upon Cocksmoor,” said Dr. May.
“But Margaret never does sit on Cocksmoor, papa.”