"I do not see that twins can be called a detail," said Bradstock, crossly.
"Very well, call them what you like," said the bishop, hastily. "But I expect the duchess will be here any moment."
Bradstock said he shouldn't wonder if she was.
"She will insist on coming with us to-morrow," he said.
The bishop started.
"Bradstock, we will go to-day. I will put off my business and go at once. The duchess is a remarkable woman, but she talks too much."
And such was his lordship's energy that they started by train for Boston in less than half an hour.
"I rather enjoy this," said the bishop. "This is an unusual event in a life like mine, Bradstock. I wonder whether we shall succeed, and I wonder what the young rascal will say when he sees me. He will be rather abashed, I fancy."
"Do you fancy that?" asked Bradstock. "Is imagination necessary, by the way, for the clerical or episcopal life?"
"It is highly necessary, but rare," said the bishop.