“Said it was absurd?”
“Yes; those were his words, Roy, and I was compelled to silence him. He told me he was sure that if Sir Granby knew how utterly unlikely it was for any of the disaffected people to come into this neighbourhood he would immediately cancel the orders, and, under the circumstances, he could not refrain from advising me to act according to his advice.”
“And what was his advice, mother?”
“To put a stop to the foolish preparations, which could only bring ridicule upon all here.”
“He said something of the kind to me; more than I told you.”
“Why did you not tell me all?”
“Because it seemed so paltry.”
“Nothing is too paltry when we have so much at stake, Roy.”
“And was that the end of it?”
“No, my boy; he made me indignant by his presumption, and I told him to remember who he was.”