Selina whispered something under her breath which Mr. Bullsom, if he heard, chose to ignore.
"I've explained to you all before," he continued, "that up to the end of last year we've been holding the entire property—over a million pounds' worth, between five of us. Our time's come now. Now, look here—I'll listen to what you've got to say—all of you. Supposing I've made up my mind to launch out. How do you want to do it? You first, mother."
Mrs. Bullsom looked worried.
"My dear Peter," she said, "I think we're very comfortable as we are. A larger household means more care, and a man-servant about the place is a thing I could never abide. If you felt like taking sittings at Mr. Thompson's as well as our own chapel, so that we could go there when we felt we needed a change, I think I should like it sometimes. But it seems a waste of good money with Sundays only coming once in seven days."
Mr. Bullsom shook with good-humoured laughter.
"Mother, mother," he said, "we shall never smarten you up, shall we, girls? Now, what do you say, Selina?"
"I should like a country house quite ten on fifteen miles away from here, lots of horses and carriages, and a house in town for the season," Selina declared, boldly.
"And you, Louise?"
"I should like what Selina has said."
Mr. Bullsom looked a little grave.