“No,” said Jem, looking foolish, “I was only choosing the best. I think I’ll go without.”
“You couldn’t improve on that rosebud, and it might come in handy,” said Arthur, gravely.
“Well,” snatching it up. “Just pick up that pot. I hear the carriage.”
“Pick up the pot!” ejaculated Arthur, as Jem rushed away, “when it’s in fifty pieces! I shall retire before I’m supposed to have thrown it down. I say, Hugh,” as he came back to the house, “who’s the attraction at H—? Jem is evidently on tenter-hooks.”
It was this easy laughter and readiness to joke on what would have seemed to him a tender subject that had always puzzled Hugh in Arthur; but now he was glad to see him amused on any terms, as he answered, gravely:
“I daresay there are several; but I haven’t heard him mention anyone in particular.”
“Perhaps he wanted a bouquet apiece and I’ve spoiled sport! What a pity!”
James recovered his equanimity as they drove away, and was very smiling and chatty by the time they picked up Flossy, fresh and spring-like, and prepared to enjoy herself, though she had hoped that the party might have been differently constituted. They had about twenty miles to go by train, and James made himself very agreeable to her, mentally thinking her less overpowering than usual. He asked after Violante and listened with much interest to Flossy’s account of the return of her voice, and her subsequent resolution.
“But her sister says she must stay with us till next year, that she may grow quite strong and finish her education. She is going to London in May.”
“Indeed! Perhaps I shall see her there.”