“You don’t look well.... Are you worried? I do hope you aren’t dreadfully disappointed the baby’s a girl.”
“It doesn’t really matter.”
“Of course not. The first one never does. You’re sure to have others ... boys.”
Peter did not answer, and Jenny felt a little annoyed with him. If this was the way he behaved at home she was sorry for Vera. It was curious how nervy these stolid men often were....
“How are Father and Mother?” she asked, to change the subject—“I suppose you go up to Conster every day.”
“Twice most days. They’re not up to much—at least Father isn’t. He’s had some pretty good shocks lately, you know. He was dreadfully upset the baby’s being a girl—and that fool Gervase’s business was a terrible blow for him.”
“It was a blow for me too. I did my best to put him off it, but it was no use. My only comfort is that apparently it’ll be some time before he’s really let in for it. He may come to his senses before then.”
“I don’t think so. He’s as obstinate as the devil.”
“What—have you tried arguing with him?”
“Yes—when I heard what he’d done, I drove over to Thunders Abbey or whatever it’s called, and did my level best to bring him back with me. But it was all no good—you might as well try to argue with a dead owl.”