Anne laid her hand quickly on his lips. “I won’t hear a word about it!” she declared. “You’re not going to rob me of one of the greatest delights of my life, Hugh? The power I once had to help my only brother? You can’t be so unkind!”
Her tone of pained entreaty made him laugh. He kissed her again.
“You dear absurd woman! Why haven’t you married, Anne?” he exclaimed suddenly. “Some man’s been robbed of a wonderful wife. It’s not fair of you!”
She smiled. “Tell me about the boys,” she urged.
A maid entered to announce that lunch was served, and during the meal, the boys and their prospects were the chief topic of conversation.
“Alice thinks them both geniuses, of course,” laughed her husband. “But they’re only ordinary youths. I shall be quite satisfied if they can just jog along.”
“Rupert has great talent,” his mother assured Anne. “Don’t listen to Hugh. I’m sure he’ll make a splendid architect.”
“I’m sure he will,” she agreed sympathetically.
“You know we lost our little girl?” said Alice softly, when they returned to the drawing-room.
Her voice suddenly drew Anne’s heart.