“What do you mean?” he said rather roughly. “Oh, nothing much. A bit haughty with me, as if he did not approve of my pretensions. Coming the elder brother a bit, and I’m getting nervous as to what it is going to be now your father is down.”
“Oh, it is only Neil’s way,” said Alison sulkily. “And you don’t seem much better. If you came over to my place, I should ask you in, and call a man to take your horse.”
“How can I ask you in at a time like this?” said Alison apologetically.
“Easily enough, and take me into the drawing room. How is Isabel?”
“Broken-hearted, nearly. This came about directly after the governor had given Tom Beck his congé.”
“Then he had done that?”
“Yes; and the little girl’s a bit sore about it.”
“Cheerful for me!” said Sir Cheltnam.
“Bah! He’ll be off to sea directly, and she’ll soon forget him.”
“Then you think I had better not come in to-day? I’m off, then. Wish the old man better. I’ll come on again to-morrow to see how he is. I say, tell Isabel I called and was in great trouble, and that sort of thing.”