For the maid-servant appeared, looked at him in astonishment, and said, “Did you call, Master Roy?”
The boy got down, and sheathed his sword, babbling out something, and his mother smilingly said—
“No; you were not called.”
“I beg pardon, my lady,” said the woman, and she retired.
“Oh, I say, mother!” faltered Roy; “how stupid I must have seemed!”
“I did not think so,” said Lady Royland, smiling.
“But it looked as if I were acting.”
“Go on acting so, then, my son,” said his mother, proudly; “we need not study what people think.”
“Here’s Master Pawson,” whispered Roy, quickly. “Go back to your chair, mother.”
Roy went to his own, and Lady Royland slowly followed his example, as the secretary, after passing the window, entered the room.