"I know it; and I ought to have been on the lookout. She don't like to have any talking going on during the business of milking. Come, let us go to the house."
The children had been put to bed; the candles were lighted, and the sitting-room looked quite cheerful.
"What made you stay so long, Chester?" asked Mrs. Royden. "You haven't had any supper, have you?"
"Yes; the Dustans invited me to tea."
"And did you walk home?"
"Walk! No, indeed, I rode."
"But you are not going to keep that horse over night, on expense, I hope," said Mrs. Royden.
Chester replied that he had sent Sam with him to the village.
"Now, that boy will do some mischief with him, you may depend! Why couldn't you walk over from the tavern in the first place, instead of hiring a horse? You shouldn't be so careless of expense, Chester."
The young man began to whistle. The entrance of Sarah seemed a relief to him; and he immediately proposed a game of whist. His mother opposed him strenuously, saying that she wanted him to talk, and tell all about his fortunes and prospects, that evening; but it was his object to avoid all conversation touching his own conduct, in presence of the family.