“I think not. I believe we may spare him that much credit without grudging.”
“But, Sydney, you know it is not pleasant to us to hear you speak in praise of Mr Walcot under present circumstances; and you should have a little consideration for us.”
“Well, mother, if you will not speak of him at all, no more will I.” And he glanced up into his mother’s face, to see how the proposition was taken. “That is fair, is not it?” he inquired of Mr Hope.
“Excellent in theory, Sydney; but who likes to be tied down not to speak on any subject, especially one which is turning up every hour? Your plan will not answer.”
“I will ask you because I said I would—and all the more because you are not cross about Mr Walcot—”
“Hold your tongue, Sydney!” said the mother.
“Do not be ridiculous, Sydney,” advised the sister.
“Mr Hope will say whether it is ridiculous, Sophy. Now, Mr Hope, would not you, and cousin Hester, and Margaret, go down the water with us to the abbey, just the same if Mr Walcot was with us?”
“With any guest of your father’s and mother’s, Sydney. We have no quarrel with Mr Walcot. The truth is, we feel, after all we have heard, that we know very little about him. We have not the slightest objection to meet Mr Walcot.”
“Neither wish nor objection,” said Hester, calmly. “We are perfectly indifferent about him.”