“If I can; but the house is to be full of visitors. If I don’t, you will know it is because I can’t.”
“I shall be thankful for whatever you can give me. I wish I could save you that hot walk in the sun.”
But as Mrs. Poynsett was wheeled into her own room some compensation befell Eleonora, for she met Julius in the hall, and he offered to drive her to the gates of Sirenwood in what he called ‘our new plaything, the pony carriage,’ on his way to a clerical meeting.
“You are still here?” she said.
“Till Tuesday, when we go to the Rectory to receive the two De Lancey boys for the holidays.”
“How Mrs. Poynsett will miss you.”
“Anne is a very efficient companion,” said Julius, speaking to her like one of the family; “the pity is that she will be so entirely lost to us when Miles claims her.”
“Then they still mean to settle in Africa?”
“Her heart has always been there, and her father is in treaty for a farm for him, so I fear there is little hope of keeping them. I can’t think what the parish will do without her. By the bye, how does Joe Reynolds get on with his drawings?”
“I must show them to you. He is really very clever. We sent him to the School of Art twice a week, and he has got on wonderfully. I begin to believe in my academician.”