“Then I think I had better describe how it happened, and let Major Layne judge for himself whether it was my fast riding or your fast running that caused the mischief.”
“You’ll tell about the peacock? It had its tail out.”
“Of course I’ll tell about the peacock. I shall say to Major Layne that his little boy—I don’t think I have heard your name,” broke off Sir Geoffry. “What is it?”
“It’s Arthur. Papa’s is Richard. My big brother’s is Richard too; he is at King’s College. Which name do you like best?”
“I think I like Arthur best. It is my own name also.”
“Yours is Sir Geoffry.”
“And Arthur as well.”
But at this juncture old Mrs. Layne, having started up from a nod, interposed to put a summary stop to the chatter, telling Arthur crossly that Mr. Duffham and the other doctor had forbid him to talk much. And then she begged pardon of Sir Geoffry for saying it, but thought the doctors wished the child to be kept quiet and cool. Sir Geoffry took the opportunity to say adieu to the little patient.
“May I come to see the peacock when I get well, Sir Geoffry?”
“Certainly. You shall come and look at him for a whole day if grandmamma will allow you to.”