Part 17 (1/2)
”How did your family happen to know him?” inquired Betty, much interested.
”He and papa went to college together in England. He wasn't a lord then, though; he only got to be one about a year ago, papa says, because his uncle and his cousin, who were lords, both died, and he inherited the t.i.tle.”
”Just like Little Lord Fauntleroy,” said Winifred; ”I wonder if he minded it the way Fauntleroy did at first.”
”Of course not,” said Lulu, with superior wisdom. ”Fauntleroy was only a silly little boy. I guess every man would like to be a lord if he had the chance. He and papa were great friends at college, and papa says he used to be very jolly and full of fun. I think he must really be rather nice, for when I asked papa whether I should say 'my lord' or 'your lords.h.i.+p' when I spoke to him, he only laughed, and said he didn't believe it would make much difference. I always thought a lord would be very angry if people didn't say 'my lord' or 'your lords.h.i.+p' whenever they spoke to him.”
”Perhaps it's because he's such a new one that he isn't so very particular,” Winifred suggested. ”What made him come over to this country?”
”I don't know; I suppose because he wants to see it. He cruises about in his yacht, and mamma doesn't think he will stay very long with us, though she hopes he will on account of papa's being so fond of him. I hope he won't make a very long visit, for I suppose it can't help being rather solemn having a lord in the house.”
”Lords in books are just like other people,” Betty remarked practically.
”Perhaps you'll like him ever so much, and be sorry when he goes away.”
”I hope I shall see him,” observed Jack, with unusual animation.
”What for?” inquired Betty, with some scorn. ”I don't believe he looks a bit different from any one else.”
”Well, we're English, you know,” Jack explained, ”and I should like to see a real English n.o.bleman. It would be the next best thing to seeing the queen.”
”I don't think I should be so very anxious to see the queen,” declared democratic Betty. ”I don't believe she's any different looking from other old ladies.”
”Mother says we're subjects of the queen,” Jack maintained, ”and ought to love her, and you know if you have to love a person you would naturally like to see her. I don't know whether we have to love lords or not, but I should like to see one any way.”
”There's mother on the bluff,” said Winifred. ”She's beckoning to us; I guess it must be time to go in.”
The children scrambled hastily to their feet, Jack was helped into the go-cart, and the little party started in a homeward direction.
”Oh, mother, dear, we've had a lovely time this morning,” exclaimed Winifred enthusiastically, as they joined Mrs. Hamilton on the bluff, ”and Lulu has asked us all over to her house this afternoon. Her aunt is going to tell us stories.”
”That will be very nice,” said Mrs. Hamilton, smiling. ”One of the ladies at the hotel has asked me to drive with her this afternoon, and I was rather doubtful about leaving you at home alone, but if Miss Warren wants you it will be all right.”
”Mamma has gone to New York,” Lulu explained, ”but Aunt Daisy wants them all. I must run home now, for it's nearly one. Be sure you all come by half-past three. I have to do my lessons right after lunch, but I shall be all through by then.”
”Jack and I have to do some lessons too,” said Betty, ”but we'll be at your house by half-past three. We'll stop for you, Winifred, as we pa.s.s the hotel.”
Mrs. Randall was standing on the piazza of the boarding-house as Betty and Jack approached, and her tired face brightened wonderfully at sight of the two children. Betty was pus.h.i.+ng the go-cart, and Jack waved his hand joyfully to his mother. Both little faces were radiant.
”Aren't you back earlier than usual, mother?” Betty asked, as they went into the house together, Jack moving slowly and cautiously on his crutches, but walking as neither his mother or Betty had ever expected to see him walk.
”Yes, rather earlier. Miss Leroy was going to a luncheon, and didn't take her full time. I shall be busy all the afternoon until six o'clock, though, for I begin with two new pupils to-day.”
”Lulu Bell has asked us over to her house,” said Betty; ”her aunt is going to tell us stories. You don't mind our going, do you?”
”Oh, no, indeed, only don't tire poor Miss Warren out telling you stories, and if you get home before six, you may take Jack down on the beach for a little while. Dr. Bell wants him to be in the open air as much as possible.”
”Mother,” said Jack suddenly, as his mother was making him comfortable in the big wicker armchair by the window of their pleasant room on the ground floor, ”did you ever see a lord when you were in England?”
”I think I have seen several in my life,” said Mrs. Randall, smiling; ”why do you want to know?”