human
Graydon'll be up all night, said Miss Spencer as they rolled away.
gpt
He enjoyed himself immensely and added to the enjoyment of others. Your father's well-fitted to shine in society, girls. 'Tis a pity, as Beaumont says, he should be shut up here.
human
Didn't he propose Mr. Vandaleur's health beautifully after dinner? said Sylvia.
gpt
I sat where I could see him, and all the time he had a twinkle in his eye.
human
He ought to be in Parliament himself, said Miss Spencer emphatically.
gpt
Vandaleur isn't worth a rush.
human
But what was the matter with Pam? asked Sylvia.
gpt
Why, Pam's asleep!
human
Never mind your sister, minx, but tell me about your conquests. Which of them did you like best?
gpt
Let me see, said Sylvia.
human
There was Captain Vavasour--from the barracks. He asked leave to call.
gpt
Did he, indeed, and what did you say?
human
I told him yes, if he'd chance finding me unemployed. I'd so much to do feeding the fowls, and washing the dogs, and keeping the pony clean, let alone my household duties.
gpt
Why, you've none, except eating the jam--and that's a pleasure. What did he say?
human
He said he'd be enchanted to help me at any of these occupations.
gpt
That was nice of him. What about the other lad from the barracks?
human
Mr. Baker? Oh, I like him. He's game for anything. He's coming ratting with Pat one day. He has an English terrier, but I told him he wouldn't be a patch on Pat.
gpt
You talked of ratting in that frock?
human
Yes, he was delighted. He confessed it was a passion with him.
gpt
I saw you talking to the Master. He's a fine-looking fellow, but not a patch on Tom Charteris.
human
Wake up, sleepy-head!
gpt
He asked me why I didn't hunt. I said I often thought of doing it on Neddy, only he was a buck-jumper. He said that wouldn't matter, except that all the world would be riding to hounds on donkeys presently and taking the ditches backward. He, too, is coming to call. They're all coming to call. I should like to see Bridget's face when she's expected to provide afternoon tea. If they keep ringing at the door, she won't pretend not to hear them; she has the excuse that the bell's broken. Then they'll have to go away in tears. I told that young St. Quintin, the Eton boy, so. He said, after he'd done crying, he'd come in by the window. I really believe he would. He's so cheeky.
human
But you don't tell me which you liked best. I daresay they all thought you no end of a minx.
gpt
Let me see, said Sylvia, with a dispassionate air.
human
Why, Lord Glengall, of course.
gpt
Glengall! with his hatchet face and his forty odd years!
human
I think he has a dear face; his eyes are just like Pat's.
gpt
I wouldn't think of Glengall--that is, if I were free.
human
Ah, you see, I don't care seriously for boys. I like them well enough to talk to; but Glengall one can take seriously.
gpt
He didn't join your court, though.
human
No, he wouldn't. I actually went up to have a little chat with him, and he said, as if I were four years old: 'Now you must go and talk to the boys, Miss Sylvia. I don't want a dozen duels on my hands.'
gpt
I daresay he thought you a forward minx.
human
I don't think he would. Only he would take some persuading to believe that I really preferred talking to him. He stood in a corner then, and watched Pam out of his nice, kind, faithful eyes.
gpt
He wouldn't have any nonsense in his head about Pam? You don't mean that?
human
Oh, I don't think he's in love with Pam. He'd look just the same at me if he thought I was tired or melancholy. I think I'll try it.
gpt
Let him alone, minx. But here we are, as the carriage stopped.
human
Wake up, sleepy-head! --to Pam--
gpt
I'm too excited to sleep, you old dunderhead, she said.
human
I wish it was all to come over again.
gpt
You will be tired in the morning, Sylvia.
human
No, I shan't; I shall be as fresh as possible. I shall dream it all over again. There, wait till I've brushed my hair, and I'll let you go to sleep. Not that I can understand your wanting to sleep; you were just as keen about this as I was.
gpt
Yes,
human
I'm downright disappointed in you. Don't you know I'd have enjoyed it all twice as much if you were enjoying it too? I'm glad papa was there; the glances of enjoyment he sent me from the high table were exhilarating. Wasn't it nice the way all those little round tables were set out? And didn't Vandaleur junior do his duty well as a host? By the way, wasn't it low of Trevithick not to come back after all?
gpt
I daresay there was some good reason.
human
Then he ought to have said there was. It is very uncivil to papa, too, not to return on the date arranged, and not to write.
gpt
He couldn't mean to be uncivil,
human
I'll tell you what. If I hadn't eaten those old sweets he sent me at Christmas I'd fire them back at his head: wouldn't you his old violets if they weren't dead and gone?
gpt
You are too impulsive, Sylvia, she said, stung out of her silence.
human
Why should Sir Anthony be uncivil or unkind? I know he meant to return to-night.
gpt
So I heard him say, said Sylvia, cynically;
human
Oh, Sylvia! I'm sure Sir Anthony has plenty of ballast. There must be some explanation, and when we have heard it you'll be ashamed of your rash judgment.
gpt
Not I, for if it isn't true of him, it's true of most youths of his age. Do you think his mother's at the bottom of it, Pam?
human
How should I know, Sylvia? What makes you think of her?
gpt
Well, from something he let fall one day, I guessed that she didn't want him to come here. Then he showed me her photograph in his album. She looked chock-full of pride and insolence. I believe a woman who looked like that would do anything.
human
I should think Sir Anthony would know his own mind in the matter.
gpt
I daresay, but she may have been up to some mischief. And talking of mothers makes me think of Glengall.
human
Why should it, Sylvia?
gpt
Well, there was that old mother of his. Think of his hard years, poor dear! No prosperity would wipe out the traces. He is as anxious-looking as Pat, and Pat is the very image of Micky Morrissy, who is always six months in arrear with his rent, and expects a notice of eviction any day. I say, Pam --suddenly--
human
Sylvia!
gpt
Would you? I know he's nearly as old as dad, and all that--but would you?
human
No, Sylvia.
gpt
Well, then, I would. But he likes you better than me.
human
He likes us both as his friend's little girls.
gpt
I know; he'd never think of us in any other light. Still, if he liked me best, I'd make him think.
human
How, Sylvia?
gpt
Why, I'd just ask him to marry me.
human
He'd think you wanted the gold.
gpt
That he wouldn't. It shows how little you know of him.
human
Well, then, other people would.
gpt
We shouldn't care about that.
human
We? Who?
gpt
Glengall and I.
human
Sylvia, you're talking as if you were really in earnest.
gpt
So I am, but he likes you better than me. You ought to marry him, Pam.
human
I shall never marry anyone,
gpt
You poor dear old duffer, I was advising you for your good. But you're tired out. There, go asleep. I shan't take you to any more functions.
human
THE WORLD IS SO CRUEL.
gpt
There's a horse-fair at Kilmacredden on Saturday, said Lord Glengall.
human
I was thinking you might find time to come along with me and see what's to be picked up.
gpt
It isn't time I'd be wanting, said Mr. Graydon,
human
Very well, then, you'll come. We'll have to make an early start and give the mare her time over the mountain. Will four o'clock do?
gpt
For me, yes. Will you get up on Saturday morning and see that there's a cup of tea ready for me by four o'clock?
human
You know I will. Next to being up all night I like to get up before daybreak.