"What do you mean, papa? Miss Burton does not wear blue stockings," said Beryl.
A loud laugh from the back seat made her aware that she had said what was foolish.
"Then she ought to," remarked Mr. Hollys.
"I am afraid your mother deceived me, Percy. She gave me to understand that Miss Burton was a female pedant, acquainted with all the ologies, who had passed ever so many examinations, and held innumerable certificates. I did not expect to see such an ordinary-looking mortal."
"It is certainly marvellous that she can condescend to battledore and shuttlecock," observed the youth, with a laugh.
By this time the players had become aware of the approach of the vehicle, and throwing down their battledores, they came forward to meet it. Mr. Hollys alighted and lifted down Beryl, then turned to shake hands with the governess.
"I am glad to see that your studies have not made you too wise to enjoy a game, Miss Burton," he said playfully.
"I am afraid I shall never attain to such wisdom," she answered brightly. "I shall always be fond of play, or at any rate, till I am a very old woman."
Miss Burton was glad to have this informal introduction to Mr. Hollys.
She had rather dreaded his coming, fancying that she would not like him. As is so often the case, however, she found the real man utterly different from her preconceived notion of him. He did not seem cold and proud, as she had imagined him, nor at all like his sister, whom she could not admire. She could find no fault with his easy yet courteous bearing, and she thought him not merely a handsome, but also a pleasing-looking man.