Wilmet swallowed the mite of a Bennett.
'And Poulter! You remember Poulter, surely, Wilmet.'
'Who used to come twice a day to ask after you. Yes, we must have him.'
'Then there's Oliver—our big bass! Oh! you must remember old Oliver with that grizzly beard, coming in and carrying me out like a baby the first day I went into the avenue.'
'That good-natured old man—only I should think he would be happier among his friends.'
'And Mr. Miles—'
'Really, Lance, I don't think Mr. Miles would wish to come.'
'Oh, you're afraid Jack will be jealous!—You know, Cherry, Miles was almost caught, he had the slyest little flirtation with Mettie when they thought I was asleep or delirious or something—'
'Delirious indeed to think so,' interrupted Wilmet indignantly; but Lance went on unheeding,
'And if the engineer hadn't been the sharpest, who knows if she wouldn't have got permanent lodgings in the organ gallery? and now you see she thinks poor Miles's heart is in such a state that she can't venture to let him come!'