“If he’s poor, and a friend of yours, Evan, we’ll have him,” said Rose: “we’ll ride and fetch him.”
“Yes,” added Miss Carrington, “that must be quite sufficient qualification.”
Juliana was not gazing gratefully at Evan for his proposal.
Rose asked the name of Evan’s friend. “His name is Raikes,” answered Evan. “I don’t know where he is now. He may be at Fallowfield. If Lady Jocelyn pleases, I will ride over to-day and see.”
“My dear Evan!” cried Rose, “you don’t mean that absurd figure we saw on the cricket-field?” She burst out laughing. “Oh! what fun it will be! Let us have him here by all means.”
“I shall not bring him to be laughed at,” said Evan.
“I will remember he is your friend,” Rose returned demurely; and again laughed, as she related to Jenny Graine the comic appearance Mr. Raikes had presented.
Laxley waited for a pause, and then said: “I have met this Mr. Raikes. As a friend of the family, I should protest against his admission here in any office whatever into the upper part of the house, at least. He is not a gentleman.”
We don’t want teachers to be gentlemen,” observed Rose.
“This fellow is the reverse,” Laxley pronounced, and desired Harry to confirm it; but Harry took a gulp of coffee.