‘I have come out for a turn in the park, for I really couldn’t bear to stay shut up in the house on such a glorious day,’ said Laura. ‘Uncle wouldn’t come with me, though I teased him ever so long. He said he was very busy; but I think people sometimes make a pretence of being studious,’ and she glanced at Alec’s note-book as she spoke.
Alec laughed and thrust the book into his pocket, and turning round walked on slowly by the girl’s side.
‘If you had an exam. to prepare for, you wouldn’t much care whether people thought you studious or not,’ he said.
‘How is your uncle?’ asked Laura.
‘I’m sure I can’t tell.’
‘Can’t tell! You wicked, unnatural creature! I am quite shocked at you.’
‘He was very well when I saw him last—that is, about three months ago—with the exception of a fearfully bad temper.’
‘Don’t you know that it is highly unbecoming of you to speak of anyone older than yourself in that disrespectful way?’
But Laura’s look hardly seconded her words; and Alec went on:
‘It is quite true, though. I wonder Aunt Jean can put up with him.’