Rose. “Not if the court understand himself, and he thinks he do.” We will spell each other, so that one of us shall sit in the upper hall till Mr. Williams comes downstairs. The boys would never dare to run such a battery without a better excuse than they can invent for going to the room of an entire stranger.
Mrs. W. That makes it safe till we leave them to their cigars.
Helen (coming down, and sitting on the arm of Mrs. W.’s chair). Mama, you will have to tell the boys that for a particular reason, cause unspecified, you want to let the servants clear the dining-room early, so as to set them free. Tell them to smoke in the library; we will sit with them and put up with the smoke for once.
Rose. That will do, and you must break up the party at our usual bed-time with the excuse that Lord Ferrol, after his journey, will want to retire early. Take no denial, and we will escort him upstairs. Then we girls will sit on the divan in the hall and gossip till we feel sure that all is safe.
Amy. And we’ll write a note making an early appointment with him in the valley summer-house; and then—(Sounds of laughter outside.) Hush!
Enter George, Steven, and Dennis, r. d., and cross over to fireplace, where they stand and warm their hands.
Mrs. W. Ah, what a breath of winter freshness you bring in with you!
Steven. It is a simply glorious afternoon. How you girls could stay indoors and roast over a fire is a puzzle to me!
Dennis. You forget, Steve, that telegram which came at luncheon. They were afraid they might lose a few moments of his society!
George. If his ludship isn’t afraid of a little frost, we will show him how to spend an evening on the ice.