This was well meant on Rupert’s part, for he did not personally like Alvar, but he had tact enough to see the necessity of harmony, and family feeling enough to wish to produce it.
“Of course,” said Mr Lester, “you can understand that I have been anxious about his coming here among the boys.”
“I don’t think he’ll do them any harm, sir.”
“No; and except Cherry, they don’t take to him very warmly; but I hope we may see him settle into an Englishman in time. A good wife now—”
“Is a very good thing, uncle,” said Rupert, with a conscious laugh.
“Yes, Rupert, in a year or two’s time you’ll be looking out for yourself.”
Rupert liked his uncle, as he had always called him, and, for a moment, was half-inclined to confide in him; but he knew that Mr Lester’s good offices would be so exceedingly energetic, and would involve such thorough openness on his own part, that though his marriage to Ruth might possibly be expedited by them, he could not face the reproofs by which they would be accompanied.
So he laughed, and shook his head, saying, “Excellent advice for Alvar, sir; and see, there he comes.”
Alvar approached his father with a bow; but was about to join Rupert, as he turned off by another path, when Mr Lester detained him.
“I should like a word or two with you,” he said, as they walked on. “I think—it appears to me that you are beginning to feel more at home with us than at first.”