“In confidence, Frank,” she said, “and not to hurt Mr Forbes’s feelings, do not imitate his little bits of courtly etiquette. They partake too much of the dancing-master. I like to see my boy natural and manly. There, quick to your father, with my dear love, and tell him I am longing for his leave, when we can have, I hope, a couple of months in Hampshire.”
“Hah!” ejaculated Frank, as he hurried across the Park; “a couple of months in Hampshire. I wonder how long it will be?”
Ten minutes later he was going up two steps at a time to the room affected by his father in the spacious house in Queen Anne Street, where, as soon as he threw open the door, he caught sight of the lightly built but vigorous and active-looking officer in scarlet, seated at the window overlooking the Park, deep in a formidable-looking letter.
“Ah, Frank, my dear boy,” he cried, hurriedly thrusting the letter into his breast, “this is good. What, an answer already? You lucky young dog, to have the best woman in the world for a mother. Bless her!” he cried, kissing the letter and placing it with the other; “I’ll read that when you are gone. Not come to stay, I suppose?”
“No, father,” cried the boy, whose eyes flashed with excitement as they took in every portion of the officer in turn. “I’ve only come to bring the note; mother said you wished to see me.”
“Of course, my boy, so as to have a few words. I just catch a glimpse of you now and then, but it’s only a nod.”
“And I do often long so to come to you,” cried Frank, with his arm upon his father’s shoulder.
“That’s right, boy,” said Sir Robert, smiling and taking his hands; “but it wouldn’t do for the captain of the guard to be hugging his boy before everybody, eh? We men must be men, and do all that sort of thing with a nod or a look. As long as we understand each other, my boy, that’s enough, eh?”
“Yes, father, of course.”
“But bravo, Frank; you’re growing and putting on muscle. By George, yes! Arms are getting hard, and—good—fine depth of chest for your age. Don’t, because you are the Prince’s page, grow into a dandy macaroni milk-sop, all scent, silk, long curls, and pomatum. I want you to grow into a man, fit for a soldier to fight for his king.”