"I'll tell you presently" replied Lawrence with a smile.
"Well I think it is about three or four weeks" answered Mulberry shuffling about from one leg to the other.
"Is that all?" enquired Lawrence.
"Yes" replied Mulberry, "now tell me why you wanted to know.
It was now Laurence's turn to grow embarresed, "well the truth is" he said at length "I am thinking of proposing to Helen Winston, and as I have had no experience I would like a few hints as to how I should go."
Mulberry laughed "well you should go to my mother for hints" he replied "she helped me very much during my little romance."
"Well I am afraid it would hardly do for me to go up and ask Lady Beaufort to give me some hints, as I am about to propose" replied Lawrence "she would be very much taken aback I should think."
"Not she" answered Mulberry with a shrug of his shoulders" she would take it quite as a matter of course; but still if you dont care to ask her, why not scribble her a note describing your position and I'll send one of the maids up with it; why she would write you pages of advice."
"I dont want as much as all that" cried Lawrence "I want just a few gentle hints as to how to be loving and look as if I was in ernest."
"Well why not write to my mother?" again repeated Mulberry.