When Mrs. Bell appeared, she begged that Mat would remain; as, she said, she “’adn’t ’eard ’alf his adventures,” and, besides, there was a most “distinguéy” professor of the French language coming to stay with them, who had brought most flattering testimonials from friends down south, and she wished him to make his acquaintance.
“Thank you, ‘mydam,’” answered Mat; “but I do not want to know the Frenchman.”
“But he’s such a tall, distinguished-looking ‘parrty,’ and he is coming to perfect my daughter in his language. Of course, I shall hear what his pronunciation is like before regularly engaging him.”
Mat was still obdurate. So Mrs. Bell continued,—
“If you must go and join Tom, as the squire says you wish to, will you drop in sometimes—it’s not twenty miles from ’ere, you know—and take a short lesson? You will find it the greatest comfort.”
“Yes, I will do that,” answered Mat, thankful to have “got out” of the Frenchman for the present.
“I am so glad to hear you say so. The professor won’t be here for a month, I expect, but I shall see you before then. Now, go and get some air, for you look quite ‘dégagé.’”
“Is she gone?” asked Bell, who, finding that French was coming up again, had made his escape, and now met Mat as he appeared outside the house. “Well, then, I want to ask you where you would like to stow those nuggets you were telling me about. The bachelors’ quarters are not safe, as every one goes in there. Supposing you put them in my room?”
“Thank you; that will be safe enough, I am sure,” and the two men separated.
The following day Mat had intended to join Tom, but was delayed on account of Dromoora and his wife.