“Sure of it, sir; sure of it.”
“Well, I hope not,” said the Vicar thoughtfully. “Fine thing for the poor boy. Make a man of him.”
“Ah, but he is not content with that. He means to make a gentleman of him, and that’s an impossibility.”
“Ah, well,” said the Vicar good-humouredly; “we shall see.”
“Yes, sir,” said Sir James; “we shall see—we shall see; but it’s a most unpleasant episode in our midst. Of course, being such near neighbours, I have been on the most intimate terms with the Graysons, and Lady Danby is warmly attached to Helen Grayson; but now they have this boy there, they want us to know him too.”
“Indeed!” said the Vicar, looking half-amused, half puzzled.
“Yes, sir,” said Sir James; “and they want—at least Grayson does—Edgar here to become his playmate.”
“Ah!” ejaculated the Vicar.
“Sent word yesterday that they should be glad if Edgar would go and spend the afternoon. Awkward, sir; extremely awkward.”
“Did he go?”