'If any one should say anything against any of my people I would give him a good one!' Geordie shouted, with his hands in his little blue pockets.
'I'd hit him in the eye!' cried Ferdy, with cheerful inconsequence.
'Perhaps you don't care to come to dinner at half-past seven,' the girl said to Miss Steet; 'but I should be very glad—I'm all alone.'
'Thank you so much. All alone, really?' murmured the governess.
'Why don't you get married? then you wouldn't be alone,' Geordie interposed, with ingenuity.
'Children, you are really too dreadful this evening!' Miss Steet exclaimed.
'I shan't get married—I want to have the hounds,' proclaimed Geordie, who had apparently been much struck with his brother's explanation.
'I will come down afterwards, about half-past eight, if you will allow me,' said Miss Steet, looking conscious and responsible.
'Very well—perhaps we can have some music; we will try something together.'