He spoke very quietly, but as if there were a great weight upon him, while his attention was claimed by some parting guest.
“Well, Cheriton, good-bye; this is a sorrowful day for many. You must try and teach your poor brother to fill your father’s place. We are all ready to welcome him among us, and we hope he will take an interest in everything here.”
“You are very land, Mr Sutton,” said Cheriton, rather as if he thought the kindness too outspoken.
Then a much older face and voice took a turn.
“Good-bye, my lad. Your grandfather and I were friends always, and I little thought to see this day. Keep things going, Cherry, for the old name’s sake.”
“I shall be in London soon,” said Cherry ungraciously, for the echoes of his own forebodings were very hard to bear. Then Rupert came up with a warm hand-shake.
“Good-bye, my dear fellow. I hope we shall see you in London. Don’t catch another bad cold. I hope you’ll all get along together.”
“I dare say we shall. But thank you, it was very good of you to come just now.”
“Just off your wedding trip, as I understand?” said the old gentleman.
“Yes; we came back from Paris a few days ago, and I must get back to town to-night,” said Rupert, as Cheriton moved away to join his uncle for a sort of explanation of the state of affairs to the younger ones, and for the reading of the will, though, its chief provisions were well known to him.