A movement was made to return to the house.
“Oh! Janet,” whispered Graeme, “I am afraid you are tired, mind as well as body, after all this foolish talk.”
“By no means, my dear. It wouldna be very edifying for a continuance, but once in a way it is enjoyable enough. He seems a decent, harmless body, that Mr Proudfute. I wonder if he is any friend of Dr Proudfute, of Knockie?”
“I don’t know, indeed,” said Graeme, laughing; “but if he is a great man, or connected with great folk, I will ask him. It will be an easy way of giving him pleasure.”
They did not make a long evening of it. Mr Green was presented by Mrs Grove with a book of plates, and Graeme was beguiled to a side-table to admire them with him. Mr Proudfute divided his attention between them and the piano, to which Rose and Fanny had betaken themselves, till at the suggestion of Mrs Grove, Arthur challenged him to a game of chess, which lasted all the evening. Mrs Grove devoted herself to Mrs Snow, and surprised her by the significant glances she sent now and then in the direction of Graeme and Mr Green; while Mr Grove got Mr Snow into a corner, and enjoyed the satisfaction of pouring out his heart on the harbour question to a new and interested auditor.
“Rose,” said Fanny, as they sat together the next day after dinner, “what do you think mamma said to me this morning? Shall I tell you?”
“If it is anything particularly interesting you may,” said Rose, in a tone that implied a doubt.
“It was about you,” said Fanny, nodding significantly.
“Well, the subject is interesting,” said Rose, “whatever the remark might be.”
“What is it, Fanny?” said Arthur. “Rose is really very anxious to know, though she pretends to be so indifferent. I daresay it was some appropriate remark’s on her flirtation with the gallant captain, last night.”