“Oh, the strangeness is what I expect to enjoy.”
A good deal more information of different kinds followed, and Cherry wondered at this own ignorance of Alvar’s former surroundings.
“Why, I did not know that your cousins lived with you,” he said.
“I did not speak much of Seville to you,” said Alvar, with ever so slight an emphasis, the first reminder he had ever given that there had been one to whom he could talk freely.
“We were all too much occupied with teaching you about Westmoreland, and lately I think I have been too stupid to care. But you must give me some Spanish lessons soon.”
“Have you been long in England?” said Mr Stanforth to Alvar.
“I came at Christmas. Ah, how cold it was! The boys and Nettie laughed at me because I did not like it. They ran out into the snow without their hats that I might feel ashamed of sitting by the fire,” said Alvar quaintly.
“Ah, we were a set of terrible young Philistines!” said Cheriton. “Do you remember the snow man and the wrestling?”
“I wish you could wrestle with me now, my brother,” said Alvar affectionately.
“That must be the effect of Spanish sunshine, instead of Westmoreland snow; and in the meantime we must not tire you with talking,” said Mr Stanforth, perceiving that Cherry hardly liked the allusion. “Come, Gipsy, isn’t it time for one of the innumerable meals we have on board ship?”