Part 39 (1/2)

Master Edgar looked slowly and sulkily up at his father, and seemed to hesitate, not even glancing at his visitor.

”Well!” said Sir James sharply. ”Why are you hesitating? Come: run along. That way, Dexter, my lad. You two will soon be good friends.”

Dexter tried to smile, but it was a very poor apology for a look of pleasure, while Sir James, who seemed rather annoyed at his son's shrinking, uncouth conduct, laid his hand upon the boy's shoulder and led him into the conservatory.

”Come, Eddy,” he said bluffly.

”Must I go, ma!” whispered Eddy.

”Yes, my dear, certainly. Papa wishes it, and you must behave like a young gentleman to your guest.”

”Come, Eddy,” shouted Sir James from the conservatory.

Master Edgar went out sidewise in a very crabby way, and found Sir James waiting.

”There, no more shyness,” said Sir James bluffly. ”Go out and enjoy yourselves till dinner-time.”

He nodded and smiled at them, gave his son a push toward Dexter, and returned to where Lady Danby was seated, with her brow all in wrinkles.

”They will soon make friends,” said Sir James. ”It's Grayson's whim, of course, and really, my dear, this seems to be a decent sort of boy.

Very rough, of course, but Eddy will give him polish. This cla.s.s of boy is very quick at picking up things; and if, after a few weeks, Grayson is disappointed and finds out his mistake, why, then, we have behaved in a neighbourly way to him and Helen, and there's an end of it.”

”But it seems so shocking for poor Eddy, my dear,” remonstrated Lady Danby.

”Fis.h.!.+ pooh! tchah! rubbis.h.!.+ not at all!”

”Eddy may pick up bad language from him, and become rude.”

”He had better not!” said Sir James. ”He knows differently. The other young dog will learn from him. Make him discontented, I'm afraid; but there--it is not our doing.”

Lady Danby sighed.

”They'll come back in a hour or two quite companions,” continued Sir James. ”Boys like that are a little awkward at their first meeting.

Soon wear off. I am going to write letters till three. After their dinner perhaps I shall take them in the boat down the river.”

Lady Danby sighed again, and Sir James went to see to his letters for the post.

By this time Master Edgar had walked softly out on to the lawn, with his right hand in his pocket, and his left thumb playing about his mouth, looking the while in all directions but that occupied by Dexter, who followed him slowly, waiting for his young host to speak.

But Eddy did not seem to have the slightest intention of speaking. He only sidled away slowly across the lawn, and then down one of the winding paths among the shrubs and ornamental trees.

This went on for about ten minutes, during which they got to be further and further from the house, not a word being spoken; and though Dexter looked genial and eager as he followed his young host, the silence chilled him as much as did the studied way in which his companion avoided his eyes.

”What a beautiful garden you've got!” said Dexter at last.

There was no reply.

Eddy picked up a stone, and threw it at a thrush.