“Yes—very,” he answered quietly.
“Have you seen how the peaches are getting on upon the little bush?” she continued.
“I? No. I have not been in the peach-house for days.”
“You don’t go half often enough. Let’s go now.”
“What, I? N—” The poor fellow met the doctor’s eye, and said hastily: “Well, yes; I will, aunt.—Will you come too, Naomi?”
“O yes,” cried the girl eagerly.
“Perhaps Lady Martlett will come and see the rosy-cheeked beauties of the peach-house?” said the doctor half-mockingly.—“She’ll give me such a snub,” he added to himself.
“Yes; I should like to see them,” said her Ladyship quietly; “my gardener tells me that they are far more beautiful than mine.”
“I should have thought it impossible,” cried the doctor. “Your Ladyship’s wealth and position ought to be able to secure for you everything.”
“But it does not,” said Lady Martlett; “not even such a simple thing as deference or respect.”