“Well!”
“How can I tell? It’s awfully late. I shall never be ready,” and Cherry banged his own door, too much astounded by the new brother to stand a discussion on him.
As soon as he was ready he went down stairs, and found Alvar, rather to his relief, attired in correct evening costume.
“I suppose you haven’t seen my grandmother yet?” he said.
“Your grandmother? I did not know there was a grandmother,” said Alvar, in a much puzzled voice, which, together with the sense of how much his brother had to learn, nearly upset Cherry’s gravity.
“My father’s mother, you know. She lives with us,” he said. “She is your grandmother too.”
“Ah!” said Alvar, “I loved my grandmother much. This other one, she will be most venerable, I am sure.”
“Come along then,” said Cherry, unable to stand more conversation at present.
Mrs Lester, whatever her private opinions might be, had too much respect for the heir, for herself, and for the house of Lester, not to attire herself with unusual dignity, and to rise and advance to receive her grandson.
“How do you do, Alvar?” she said. “You have been a long time in coming to see us.”