All took their seats at the early breakfast next morning.
'Has Evan not come—home yet?' was the Countess's first question.
Mrs. Mel replied, 'No.'
'Do you know where he has gone, dear Mama?'
'He chooses his own way.'
'And you fear that it leads somewhere?' added the Countess.
'I fear that it leads to knocking up the horse he rides.'
'The horse, Mama! He is out on a horse all night! But don't you see, dear old pet! his morals, at least, are safe on horseback.'
'The horse has to be paid for, Louisa,' said her mother, sternly; and then, for she had a lesson to read to the guests of her son, 'Ready money doesn't come by joking. What will the creditors think? If he intends to be honest in earnest, he must give up four-feet mouths.'
'Fourteen-feet, ma'am, you mean,' said Old Tom, counting the heads at table.