“Yes,” said Hugh, with a sudden sense of relief, “and I would go to the Bank house and stay there.”
“I don’t see any need for that. Miss Venning and I have been talking. I thought we might all go to the sea till the holidays were over. Miss Venning kindly promises to come with us, and then she would take Freddie back as a boarder for the next term—poor child, it is too sad for her here.”
“Oh, auntie, I had much rather be sad,” interposed Frederica, with a burst of tears.
“No, darling—nonsense. I could not have that. Jem, I suppose, must go back to town.”
“On Thursday,” said Jem.
“But I am sure the rest of us had better keep together.”
“I shall be much too busy to leave home,” said Hugh, with an emphasis that made Jem smile. “I shall do very well by myself.”
Mrs Crichton began to discuss the rival merits of Hastings and Brighton, while Hugh went back to his place, and James and Miss Venning exchanged a few words as to how far the arrangement would be good for Arthur, when, rather to their surprise, Arthur himself came in.
He sat down on the sofa by his aunt, and she asked him tenderly if his head was better.
“Oh, yes, thank you. How cold it is—the lire looks pleasant.”