“Yes, yes,” she said, “we know all that. Of course, he must come. If I should have to give him my own room; of course, he must come. There are so many things I want done. It would be tempting Providence to refuse Frogmore. I want a new nursery, and a cottage for the gardener, and I don’t know how many things. You had better write a telegram, and give it to Saunders to be sent the first thing in the morning.”
“But, Letitia, when you know the house is crowded, and there is not a——”
“Oh, don’t bother me,” said Letitia, “as if I had not enough without that! It is not a corner that will do for Frogmore. He must have, of course, the best room in the house. For goodness sake, John, go back to your men in the smoking-room, and tell them you have a very bad account of the covers, and that there are no birds to speak of. Say you’re dreadfully sorry, and that you find you’ve asked them on false pretences.”
“But——” said John. “Why Letitia! I have heard nothing of the kind.”
“I have, then,” she said. “They didn’t like to tell you—scarcely a bird. Those sort of accidents will happen. Go and tell them. Say you don’t know what to make of it.”
“I don’t, indeed,” said John; “I can’t understand it. Martin never said a word to me on the subject. That’s bad news, indeed. The men will think—I don’t know what they will think.” He turned to go away, looking more gloomy than ever; but when he got to the door of the boudoir turned round for a moment. “That brother of yours,” he said, “is a very queer fish.”
“Ralph! Oh, goodness gracious, do you think it’s necessary to tell me that?”
“He’s a very queer fish,” said John, with a laugh. “Those fellows are drawing him out. He is telling them all kinds of bush stories. I don’t believe half of them are true. Why did you never tell me you had a brother in the bush.”
“I thought he was dead,” she said. “I wish he had been dead before he came here. If I had only been at home it never would have happened. What’s the good of you, a man, if you can’t turn a fellow like that out of the house?”
John turned round upon her with amazement. “My wife’s brother!” he said.