"Hey, boys? what's got into you?" said Radcliff, really astonished.
Lord put up his hand, to prevent the boys from answering, and continued,—
"Your unusually long absence, I am persuaded, has had a wholesome effect. But to the presence of new elements in the family I attribute the better state of things, in a large measure." Lord indicated Lavinia, by a gracious wave of the hand, adding, "Though a man of few words, I am not blind, and I am not ungrateful."
This recognition of her influence, before Jack and the whole family, brought the quick color to Vinnie's cheeks and tears to her eyes. She was surprised by what Lord said, and still more surprised that any words of his could touch her so. He had hitherto treated her with civil, quiet reserve, and she had never been able to divine his secret thought of her. Nor had she cared much, at first, what that might be; but day by day she had learned to know that under all his weaknesses there was something in his character worthy of her esteem.
"If you choose to fall into the new course of things, Radcliff, you will be welcome here, as you always have been. Not otherwise."
And again Jack was reminded of the look and tone with which he had seen Lord Betterson confront Peakslow at the gap of the fence.
"Of course I'll fall in, head over heels," said Radcliff, with a laugh, and a look at Vinnie, which Jack did not like. "I think I shall fancy the new elements, as you call 'em."
Jack started up, with sparkling eyes; but, on an instant's reflection, bridled his tongue, and settled down again, merely giving Vinnie a swift glance, which seemed to say, "If he has any more of his fun with you, I'll—"
"No more trifling," said Betterson. "If you stay, you will come under the new régime. That means, in plain speech—work; we all work."
"Oh!" gasped poor Caroline, and reached out helplessly to her sister. "The hartshorn, Lavinia dear!"