Arthur was feeling just a little shy, so he only shook hands with the young lady, and followed her upstairs. On the way, he asked, “Will you tell me how Edgar is?”
“Not very well, to-day; but just now he is asleep, I think. Were you and he great friends?”
“Yes,” said Arthur. “Are you his cousin?”
“One of his cousins. I dare say he told you there were ever so many.”
“Yes; I don’t think he knew how many,” said Arthur.
“No; I should think not,” said Maude, laughing. “I hardly do, sometimes. But I believe altogether we number ten.”
“Oh,” said Arthur, “what, ten brothers and sisters at home?”
“Oh, no; we are very seldom all at home together. Two of my brothers are abroad, and some of the girls are at school. It is a very good thing they are sometimes.”
“There, that is Edgar’s room,” said Miss North, as they passed one of the doors. “We try to keep the noise away from this passage as much as we can; but it is not very easy with so many boys and girls.” This was very true, as just then two boys about Arthur’s own age came bursting through one of the doors, and were stopped by their sister at the entrance of the passage.
“Now, boys, don’t come this way. You know Edgar is asleep. Just tumble down the other stairs, if you must tumble.”