"No," was Abel's brief reply.
"I shall be glad to go about with you whenever you like, and show you the village."
"Abel is too tired to-day," said Mrs. Lane, in her usual cold tone of voice.
"No," said Abel, unexpectedly; "I'll go along with you."
"Be back in half an hour," said Mrs. Lane. "We shall have supper early this evening."
"All right," said Gerald.
"I believe you have been at boarding-school," said Gerald, as they left the house.
"Yes; it's a beastly place."
"Indeed? I never was in such a school, and I don't understand what it is like. What were your objections to it?"
"The living was very poor."