“Oh, I say, guv’nor, it’s my turn now,” he cried, as Wilton crossed smiling to his niece, and offered her his arm.
“All in good time, my boy; all in good time. You bring in your mother. I don’t see why I’m always to be left in the background. Come along, Kate, my dear; you must have me to-day.”
“Why, where is John Garstang?” cried Mrs Wilton.
“Off on the horse, mother,” said Claud, with a grin. “Gone over to the station to wire.”
“Gone without saying good-bye?”
“Oh, he’s coming back again, mother; but we can do without him for once in the way. I say, Kate, I want you to give me this afternoon for that lesson in riding.”
“Riding, my dear?”
“Yes, mother, riding. I’m going to give Kitty some lessons on the little mare.”
“No, no; not this afternoon,” said the girl nervously, as they entered the dining-room.
“Yes, this afternoon. You’ve got to make the plunge, and the sooner you do it the better.”