"Oh, yes! But he didn't speak to her. He told me afterwards who her companion was."
"Lulu Tillotson, of course?"
"Yes. I say, Wallis, what a dressed up doll she is!"
"Is she? Yes, so Joy told me. I've never seen Celia's great friend myself, but I heard Uncle Jasper say her father is one of the richest men in T—, and he thinks nothing is too good for his daughter. I expect Celia finds herself in clover there. By the way, did they purchase any of the novels?"
"I don't know, for they were still looking over them when we left the shop. They were whispering and giggling a good deal, and—"
Putty broke off, looking confused, as it occurred to him that he ought not to be telling this to Celia's brother. Eric's expression was grave; he was thinking deeply, and wondering if it was possible that, owing to some mistake, Joy was suffering for her sister's fault. If so, Celia must be aware of the fact.
Perhaps no one at the Moat House missed Celia quite so much as Sir Jasper. He had grown accustomed to her companionship of an evening, and declared the house was not like the same place without her.
"She is so winning and bright," he said to his niece on one occasion, "and so invariably sweet-tempered. Ah, I shall be glad when she returns! Celia is my favourite of your children, Margaret; which is yours?"
"I love them all alike," Mrs. Wallis replied. She was not surprised to hear her uncle's open acknowledgment of his preference for Celia. "I don't think a mother should feel any difference in her affection for her children—I am sure I do not. They are all very dear to me, and all very fond of each other, I do believe."
"Eric is an outspoken lad," Sir Jasper remarked, with approval in his tone; "but did you not tell me the other day that he is inclined to be idle at school?"