Part 2 (2/2)
But he did not require much urging. Half ashamed, and grinning from ear to ear, he took his place again at the table, Hepsy having brought a fresh plate. Meanwhile Sarah had pacified Willie, and recovered the fragments of potato that had wandered down into his trousers.
Peace being restored, the subject of the clergyman's visit was resumed by Mr. Royden.
”I don't know how we can refuse him; it will be disagreeable, on all sides, for him to be here.”
”He will not suit us; and I am sure we shall not suit him,” replied Mrs.
Royden. ”He will want to study and be quiet; and, unless he stays in his room all the time, and shuts out the children, I don't know what he will do. More than all that, I couldn't think of having him around the house, any way in the world.”
”I wish I knew what to do about it,” muttered Mr. Royden, scowling.
”I want you to do just as you think best, now that you have my opinion on the subject.”
This was a way Mrs. Royden had of s.h.i.+rking responsibilities. Her husband smiled bitterly.
”If I decide for him to come,” said he, ”and his visit proves disagreeable, I shall be the only one to blame. But I suppose there is but one course to pursue. We cannot refuse the hospitality of our house; but I sincerely wish he had chosen any other place to spend his vacation.”
”It is so strange he should think of coming among plain farmers, in the country!” observed Mrs. Royden.
”O, don't have him here!” cried the younger children, in chorus.
Although there was a large majority of voices against him, Mr. Royden concluded that Sarah might reply to the clergyman's letter, after dinner, telling him pretty plainly how he would be situated if he came; and say that, notwithstanding their circ.u.mstances, they would be glad to see him.
”After this,” said he, ”I should hardly think he would come. But, if he does, we must try and make the best of it.”
II.
CHESTER.
It was on a warm and beautiful afternoon, several days subsequent to the scenes just described, when little Willie, who was catching flies on the sitting-room window, suddenly cried out, at the top of his voice,
”There comes Ches', full garlick! I guess the witches are after him!”
There was a general rush to the window. Willie had spoken truly. There, indeed, was Chester, riding down the road, _full gallop_, yet hardly with the air of one pursued by hags. He sat the horse bravely, and waved his graceful hand to the faces at the window.
Scrambling and screaming with joy, the children ran to the door to meet their brother. Only Hepsy remained in the sitting-room. Her poor heart beat fearfully, her breath came very short, and she was pale, faint and trembling. She had neither strength nor courage to go forward and welcome her cousin. Samuel came from the garden, James from the barn, and the three younger children from the house, to meet Chester at the gate. The latter swung himself from the saddle, and catching up Willie, who had climbed the fence, tossed him playfully upon the horse's back.
”How are you, chuck?” he cried, kissing Lizzie. ”Folks all well? Why, Jim, how you have grown!”
”O! O! O!” screamed Willie, afraid of falling, as Sam led the horse into the yard; ”take me down!”
”Don't you want to ride?” asked Chester.
”No! I'll fall! O!”
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