"You know what my heart's desire is," he said unsteadily.
"Why, to raise sheep or drive cattle, or chop down trees in the backwoods," she replied, lifting demure eyebrows. "Oh, Dick, don't be foolish. See--there's mother just come out."
With a light laugh she escaped and ran up the steps to meet an old lady, rather infirm, who, with the aid of a stick, was beginning to take her morning walk up and down the terrace. Dick followed her moodily.
"Good morning, mother," said he, bending down to kiss her.
Mrs. Ware put up her cheek, and received the salute with no great show of pleasure.
"Oh, how you smell of tobacco smoke, Dick. Where's Austin? Please go and find him. I want to hear what he has to say about the stables."
"What can he say, mother?"
"He can advise us and help us to put the muddle right," said Mrs. Ware.
These stables had been a subject of controversy for some time. The old ones having fallen into disgraceful disrepair, Dick had turned architect and erected new ones himself. As shelters for beasts, they were comparatively sound; as appanages to an Elizabethan manor-house, they were open to adverse criticism. Austin, who had come down from London a day or two before to spend his Whitsuntide holiday at home, had promised his mother to make inspection and report.
"But what does Austin know about stables?" Viviette asked, as soon as Dick had slouched away in search of his brother.