"He must spend his next vacation here, eh, Jasper? It will be pleasant for you to have a boy of your own age here."
"Do as you like, father," said Jasper, who didn't care to say how distasteful the proposition was to him, or to explain the nature of the relations between Nicholas and himself.
Mrs. Kent looked at him sharply as he spoke, and understood better how he felt. But, as he did not openly object, she was satisfied. It was what she had wished to bring about, and she felt pleased that the proposal had come from Mr. Kent, and that Jasper had not spoken against it.
"I will go and order your room to be made ready for you, Jasper," she said. "You had better write to Dr. Benton that you will stay with us a day or two."
So saying, she left the room, and Jasper was left alone with his father.
"Don't you like this marriage, Jasper?" asked his father, anxiously, seeing that his son looked sober.
"No, father," answered Jasper, frankly. "I have not yet got over the shock of the first news."
"You think I ought to have told you about it."
"You are not accustomed to keep secrets from me, father."
"I did it for the best, Jasper; I wanted to tell you, but she—Mrs. Kent—thought it best not."