Part 26 (2/2)
”You inferred it,” said Miss Chase ”However, we forgive you
Fortunately we shan't be able to die of dullness entirely, because there will be so e”
”I vote Bob stays with us till we go,” said Eustace--”He would be jolly useful, wouldn't he, mother?”
”Really, Eustace,” reh, ”I am ashamed of you Is that the way you treat your friends?”
Eustace reddened and looked uncoly at Bob, he found that he was not even s your pardon,” he began, when Bob interrupted quickly
”No, don't I was only thinking what a jolly thing you had said
What are friends for if they are not to be erous theory to propound,” said Mr Orban
”Supposing your friends take advantage of it--what then?”
”A real friend never would take advantage of it,” said Bob with certainty; ”that is just how you can test hiive, is a patronizing bounder; the felloill give nothing to you, but only take, is a ive and take equally is your chuot him”
”An excellent definition, Bob,” said Mr Orban, with a genial so”
There was a second's pause, then Bob said quietly,--
”Thank you, sir I guess I shall hold on to all of you too”
It took Nesta to the end of breakfast to unravel the ravity that had fallen over the party, and then she was not sure of herself
”Why, you silly,” said Eustace, to whoood as said it--Bob is the right kind of chap to have for a chuuess I know that better than any one”
”I don't see why you should,” exclaimed Nesta jealously ”We all know Bob; he isn't anybody's in particular He said himself he meant to hold on to _all_ of us, not just one person only”
Her tone was ”snubby” in the extreme, but Eustace was utterly silent for a moment
Nesta did not know it; he would never know it hi difference in Eustace nowadays He had not gone through great experiences untouched; sos in life leave an indelible ilad he said that”
Nesta was so astonished at getting no response to her assertion that she exclaimed,--
”Said what?”
”Why, that he will hold on to us,” Eustace said
”Well,” Nesta reain with a touch of superiority, ”of course we all knew that without his telling us”
Eustace eyed her with a quietness that soirl
She could not understand hi annoyed Nesta sothat was perfectly clear to somebody else
”Didn't you know it?” she asked sharply