“You must have some tea—Freddie!” But Freddie’s tears choked her and upset her aunt too; while Miss Venning hastily interposed and poured out the tea. Arthur got up and handed it, and tried to make a little talk, seconded by Jem, till Mrs Crichton said:
“My dear boy, we have been talking about going away. It will be good for you to have a change.”
“I don’t want to go away,” said Arthur, languidly.
“My dear, it would never do for you to stay here. We all want the break.”
“Why do you urge him to do anything he does not like?” said Hugh, so abruptly as to make Arthur start.
“Hugh! I did not see you!” he said.
“I am going out. Mother, there is no need for Arthur to go away unless he likes.”
“But, Hugh, nothing could be so bad for health or spirits as staying here.”
“I daresay Aunt Lily is right, Hugh,” said Arthur, as if he wanted to stop the discussion. “But, you see, I don’t quite know where I could go to.”
“Why, with us, my dear, to be sure,” said Mrs Crichton, as she explained the plan proposed. “Should you like it, Arthur?”