"He is going to marry a young lady who has been visiting in the neighbourhood of Marldon Court," she commenced to explain, "and he says Freddy likes her, which is extremely satisfactory. There is no reason why the wedding should be delayed, so it is to take place very shortly, and Freddy is to come here whilst his father and step-mother go abroad."
"Is he coming for months, mother?" Edwin asked seriously.
"Yes; very likely he will stay with us till Christmas. Your uncle suggests that he should go to school with you boys, and I am sure that will be the best plan."
"Freddy has never been to school, has he?" questioned Claude.
"No: he has been educated by a governess up to the present."
"And a fine time he led her, judging from his own accounts," said Edwin laughing; "I believe she let him do as he pleased for the sake of a peaceful life."
"I am afraid he is rather a spoilt child," admitted Mrs. Dennis; "but I am sure he is a very affectionate little fellow. Your uncle says he is certain the wife he has chosen will prove a kind step-mother, and if so, he is acting wisely for Freddy's sake. Your father and I will, of course, be invited to the wedding, which will be at the end of the month."
"So soon as that!" exclaimed the children in surprise.
"Yes. It will be a very quiet wedding. The bride—Miss Seymour she is called—is to be married from the Vicarage at Marldon; the Vicar is her uncle, and she has often visited him before this year, so your uncle and Freddy have known her some time. After the wedding your father and I will bring Freddy back with us."
"I suppose they have bride cakes at quiet weddings, don't they?" asked Poppy, anxiously, at which her mother and brothers laughed, and the former replied that she was not certain upon the point.