He had had a long, hot journey from London, and now threw himself into a garden-chair, exclaiming with delight at the coolness and shade.
“So you’ve seen the Miss Vyners again?” said Godfrey, referring to a note previously received from his brother.
“Yes; they and two of Staunton’s sisters are coming down to Moorhead for a reading party in their vacation.”
“A reading party,” said Mrs Waynflete. “Young ladies?”
“That’s all quite correct, auntie,” said Godfrey. “Girls go to college nowadays, and of course they must read for their exams. They do, generally.”
“Eh, well,” said the old lady. “I see no reason against it. I never doubted that a woman’s brains were as good as a man’s. I could have taken a degree myself. I’ll ask Constance Palmer to bring them here before we go to Waynflete. They can pursue their studies afterwards.”
“Waynflete?” said Guy, with a start.
“Yes. I’ve been telling your brother,”—here she recapitulated her two proposals. “I’ll get you to go over, and see if the place is in order.”
“Oh yes, Aunt Margaret, if you wish; but I’ve been some time away from the mill, and there are one or two matters—”
“I hope you’ve brought back no new-fangled notions from town,” interrupted the old lady, sharply.