'Yes, but his two months' holiday was up on Monday; and when he came to London, his office was painting, or white-washing, or something, so he got a week's grace; and London being a desert, he said he should look in at Lady Mary's, and then run on here; but when he left, doubtful.'
'Then it depends on how he likes it at Lady Mary's? Have you mentioned it?'
'No, I knew I should catch it from you if I did.'
'Discreet boy! I have hopes of you. In the uncertainty we had better keep it to ourselves. It would only put her into a tremor, and spoil her day.'
'Poor girl! I hoped it had gone off, for I see small prospect for her. He is getting on well, likes his work, and will hardly run into thraldom again, since he broke loose in time to make a man of himself.'
'Don't you envy him?'
'Yes, when you fiddle for an hour over every knot in that string! Let me cut it and have done with it.'
'Remember holy poverty, Sire, as the Lady Abbess said to Louis XV. over the jam-pot; or rather, remember that this has to be packed up again in six hours' time.'
'Don't make me remember six hours hence. This is my prime day of all the year, and I can't recollect any end to it.'
'There then, can you carry that pile of plates without a catastrophe?'