As soon as his father left the house, Duncan came down from his room.
"Why, Dunny," exclaimed Jenny, "are you sick? Nancy has carried away the things. Shall I bring you some tea?"
"No!" replied Duncan, shortly, tilting his chair and thumping his head against the wall, a trick he had when he was particularly out of humour.
Suddenly Jenny remembered something pleasant.
"O Dunny, isn't it perfectly splendid?"
"What?" asked Duncan, testily.
"You needn't pretend not to understand. Papa said he had told you. Won't it be lovely?"
"Just like a girl! Bought up with a new dress, I suppose," growled Duncan.
"Why, Duncan McNair, you act as if you didn't like it."
"Well, I don't, and I didn't suppose you'd be such a goose. I think it's just mean, that's what I think," said Duncan, pounding the wall energetically.