'Has he any right to order you about, out of office hours, and without a civil word either? Why do you stand it?'
'Because I can stand anything better than being returned on Henry's hands,' said Leonard, 'and he has spite enough for that. The thing must be done, and if he won't do it, I must, that's all. Come along.'
As they went out the unwieldy figure of the elder Mr. Axworthy was seen, leaning out of his open window, smoking a clay pipe. He spoke in a much more friendly tone, as he said, 'Going out, eh? Mind the dinner-time.'
'Yes, sir,' said Leonard, coming nearer, 'I'm not going far.'
'Who have you got there?' was again asked.
'One of the young Mays, sir. I was going to walk part of the way back.'
Aubrey thought the grunt not very civil; and as the boys and Mab passed under the gateway, Leonard continued, 'There's not much love lost between him and your father; he hates the very name.'
'I should expect he would,' said Aubrey, as if his hatred were an honour.
'I fancy there's some old grievance,' said Leonard, 'where he was wrong of course. Not that that need hinder your coming over, Aubrey; I've a right to my own friends, but—'
'And so have I to mine,' said Aubrey eagerly.