"It would never do to tell old Dyson a secret," he observed to his father, when he overtook him.
"Why not?"
"Why, you'd have to scream it so loud in his ear that every one would hear. It wouldn't be much of a secret when all the village was listening. Supposing I were to shout to him, 'Dyson, I'm going to give father a birthday present, and it's a cigar ca——.' Oh, good gracious!" said Humphrey, pulling up his pony, "I've told you my secret! Oh, father, did you guess?"
Sir Everard's attention had been wandering, and he could honestly assure the child that he was as far as ever from knowing the secret.
"And now, here we are at General Colville's," he added; "so you will have lots of things to distract your thoughts."
Sir Everard and Humphrey were shown into the drawing-room where were two ladies and some children.
Mrs. Colville came forward to receive them, and informed Sir Everard that her husband was confined to his room with a slight attack of gout.
Sir Everard immediately volunteered to go and see him. Mrs. Colville took him up-stairs, and Humphrey was left with the other lady.
"What is your name, dear?" she asked.