“Claptrap and nonsense!” said Jack; but Cheriton interposed,—
“Hush, Jack, we have no right to say any more. What must be must.”
To do Alvar justice, he was not aware how deeply he was grieving Cheriton; he felt himself to be asserting his rights, and in the worst corner of his heart knew that any relenting would be ascribed to his brother’s influence.
It was a very miserable day. After some hours of astonished sulking, the poor old groom put his pride in his pocket, and came humbly “to beg t’ squire’s pardon,” and to entreat Cheriton to intercede for him, recapitulating his years of long service, and his recollections of the old squire’s boyhood, till he nearly broke Cherry’s heart; and induced him to promise to make another attempt at interceding—a promise which was not given without quite as severe a rebuke as Alvar had ever inflicted, for disrespect to his master’s orders.
He was closely followed by the eldest of the Fleming brothers, in great indignation.
Nowhere but at Oakby, as the young man took care to observe, would Chris have been allowed to take such a situation, in spite of his love of horses, and troublesomeness at home.
“Chris was impertinent to Mr Lester,” said Cheriton, hardly knowing what line to take.
Young Fleming was very sorry; in that case he was better at home, and he hoped it would not be inconvenient if he took him away at once.
“I suppose it might be best,” said Cheriton, thoroughly sympathising with the grievance, and thankful to Fleming for not obliging him to hear or say much about it.
“Then, sir, maybe you will tell the squire that such is our wish.”