He stood for some time after her departure, staring at the floor, till he heard in abrupt language:
“Where is Mammy Juniper?”
“She is upstairs,” and he lifted his head to see Camperdown pawing the hall carpet like an impatient horse.
“I want some linen, and I wish that she would come down to the cottage. By the way, Stanton,” and he paused as he was about to fling himself out of the doorway, “how much longer are you going to let this thing run on? Fristram and Shelly were here this evening gambling with your worthy sire; the young scamps ought to have been at home with their wives.”
“I know,” wearily; “but what can a man do? I am reproached now with having thrust my father out of doors.”
“Nobody that understood the facts would blame you,” said Camperdown seriously. “But can’t you hedge him around with restrictions?”
“If I draw too sharp a line he will leave here.”
“And you don’t want him injuring the family reputation elsewhere. But isn’t there any way you can devise of keeping these silly young flies from him? Let him amuse himself with old spiders like himself.”
“He must do it in future,” said Armour.
“Who made you promise?” asked Camperdown curiously.