"Nothing at all, Miss Beaumont, thank you," answered Hugh, seeking to make good his escape.
But the lady was not to be put off in this manner. "Come into my room," she said authoritatively, "and tell me what has upset you."
Miss Beaumont's apartments were furnished with a view both to luxury and elegance, but Hugh took little heed of his surroundings as he sat, at the lady's bidding, beside her on the sofa.
"Mother says we must go to the Board school," he burst out impetuously.
"Very sensible too of your mother, if she is unable to send you elsewhere."
Hugh flashed an indignant look upwards.
"Oh! You think it isn't good enough for you, I suppose. Well, upon consideration, perhaps, the grandchildren of Sir Matthew Rose should have other advantages. Why doesn't your mother apply to him?" inquired Miss Beaumont.
"She has, but he refused to see her, and I've a good mind to write and tell grandfather what I think of him!"
"Well, then, I won't keep you any longer," responded Miss Beaumont, with a gleam of humour in her eyes. "If you should decide to write such an important letter, I will post it for you with some of my own."
"Then I will," said Hugh with great decision.