On the third Sunday morning after Alvar’s arrival, Mr Lester came down as usual at the sound of the gong, and as he glanced round the dining-room missed his two elder sons.
Prayers were over and breakfast had begun before Alvar entered.
“Ah pardon,” he said, bowing to his grandmother; “I did not know it was late.”
“I make a point of being punctual on Sunday,” said Mr Lester, in a tone of incipient displeasure.
“Cheriton is late too,” said Alvar.
“No,” said Jack, “he’s gone to Church.”
“All, then we do not go to-day,” said Alvar, with an air of relief so comical that even the solemn Jack could hardly stand it.
“Oh, yes, we do,” he said, “this is extra.”
“Cheriton,” said Mr Lester, “is very attentive to his religious duties.”
“I suppose he’ll have breakfast at the Vicarage,” said Nettie, as Alvar raised his eyebrows and gave a little shrug.