"Oh, he's very well, thank you! I don't think I ever saw him so bright. He gave me five shillings this morning to spend as I like; and oh! I forgot to tell you, he sent his love to you both."
"I'm sure it's very kind of him. You must remember us to him," said Miss Selina, as she rose preparatory to leaving the room. "We shall call shortly. Well, Theodore, you know I am nothing if not outspoken, and I always speak my mind. My advice to you is, to keep in your stepmother's good graces if you can."
Lessons commenced, and Theodore struggled through his multiplication tables and worked his sums, interrupted occasionally by questions from Miss Penelope relative to the newcomers at the Hall.
"I suppose she dresses well?" she queried, pausing in the midst of correcting a sum that Theodore had been laboriously adding up.
"Who?" the boy asked, in surprise.
"Your stepmother."
"Oh! I don't know, Aunt Pen; I didn't notice."
"And she is dark, you say?"
"Her eyes are brown, and so is her hair."
"It will be a change for her—life at the Hall, I mean. I believe she was poor?" she said interrogatively.