‘Yes; but you might get in the way of the family, or the visitors,’ she said.
‘I’ll take good care of that,’ I returned. ‘Surely there is room in this huge place without running against any one.’
‘There ought to be,’ she answered.
After a few minutes’ silence, she resumed.
‘We shall have a good many of them staying all night’, but there will be room for you, I dare say. What would you like to do with yourself till they begin to come?’
‘I should like to go to the library,’ I answered, thinking, I confess, of the adjacent armoury as well. ‘Should I be in the way there?’
‘No; I don’t think you would,’ she replied, thoughtfully. ‘It’s not often any one goes there.’
‘Who takes charge of the books?’ I asked.
‘Oh! books don’t want much taking care of,’ she replied. ‘I have thought of having them down and dusting the place out, but it would be such a job! and the dust don’t signify upon old books. They ain’t of much count in this house. Nobody heeds them.’
‘I wish Sir Giles would let me come and put them in order in the holidays,’ I said, little knowing how altogether unfit I yet was for such an undertaking.