“I had the old schoolroom and the bedroom adjoining newly fitted up,” answered Mrs. Poynsett. “Jenny Bowater was here yesterday, and gave the finishing touches. She tells me the rooms look very nice.—Cecil, my dear, you must excuse deficiencies; I shall look to you in future.”
“I hope to manage well,” said Cecil. “Had I not better go up now? Will you show me the way, Raymond?”
The mother and her two younger sons remained.
“Haven’t I brought you home a splendid article?” was Frank’s exclamation. “Julius has got the best of it.”
“I back my Cape Gooseberry,” returned Charles. “She has eyes and hair and skin that my Lady can’t match, and is a fine figure of a woman besides.”
“Much you know of Rosamond’s eyes!”
“Or you either, boxed up in the van.”
“Any way, they have made roast meat of his Reverence’s heart! The other two take it much more easily.”
“She’s a mere chicken,” said Charlie. “Who would have thought of Raymond being caught by a callow nestling?”
“And so uncommonly cool,” added Frank.