Aaron, who had a great notion of keeping his grandson in order, stared wrathfully at this.
"And who is going to listen to the advice of a young jackanapes like you?" he demanded--which caused Eliza, still buttering the toast, to hide a laugh. "The world's coming to a pretty pass, young man, when such as you must command your elders and betters!"
"Nay, I don't seek to command; you'd not let me if I did," returned Hubert. "And if I advise, it is only for the general tranquillity. The Squire intends to receive these lawyers--I dare say there will be two of them--and it won't do for you to make a disturbance when they come. You seem to forget how weak and ill the master is; how often Jago has told you that freedom from worry is his best chance. Therefore I say, go off to Nullington after breakfast, grandfather, and let the visit take place in your absence."
Aaron growled for a minute or two.
"It's a shame!" he burst forth again; "a cruel shame. Here's all the work of the birthday got over, and now this bother springs up! Hasn't the master got to be kept quiet, I'd ask you? Who can answer for it that this interview with a pack of rascally lawyers won't--won't----"
"Do him harm, you were about to say," put in Hubert quickly, at the sudden stoppage. "Well, we can guard against that. Jago must, of course, be present to take care of his pulse. You go off in the morning to Nullington, and leave the house to peace and quietness," concluded Hubert, as he took up the letter, and turned to quit the room.
"Be you not going to sit down and have your tea, Hubert dear?" called out the old lady, who had not dared to interfere before.
"Tea? Oh, I shall take that by-and-by."
In one of the passages, on his way to the Squire's rooms, Hubert met Jago.
"What are you laughing at?" asked the Doctor, noting the more than smile on the young man's lips.