Part 11 (1/2)

Robert looked at it, and threw it down.

”Very offensive,” he said.

Mrs. Avory handed it to Janet.

”Whoever can it be from?” Janet asked, turning it over and over. ”The postmark is Chiswick.”

”A good way to find out,” said Gregory, ”is to open it.”

Janet did so, and read it, laughing. ”It's an attempt at a nasty letter from William,” she said. ”He's pretending to be cross because Jack won.

Poor William! Listen:

DEAR LITTLE ONES,

”I hope you are having a good time in that stuffy caravan, and manage to avoid blisters. I thought you would like to hear that father has given me leave to go to Sheppey, and stay for three days with Mr.

Fowler, who has promised to take me up in an aeroplane. I am also to have riding-lessons, and Aunt Mildred has promised me a pony, being so sorry to hear that I was done out of the caravan trip by a fluke. Uncle Jim has sent me 5 pounds. According to the papers the weather is going to break up directly. Your affectionate and prosperous friend,

WILLIAM ROTHERAM.

Jack was speechless with fury. ”The story-teller!” he cried.

But Mary laughed. ”I think it's rather clever,” she said. ”It almost took me in.”

”Do you mean to say it's a good joke?” Jack asked.

”I think so,” said Mary.

”I don't,” said Jack. ”I think jokes ought to be straightforward. I think you ought to know exactly that they are jokes.”

”Miss Bingham,” said Robert, ”would say that such inventions were in poor taste.”

”So they are,” said Jack.

”Poor William!” said Mrs. Avory. ”You oughtn't to be cross with him, Jack. After all, he did lose when you tossed up.”

”Yes,” said Jack. ”But, look here, Mrs. Avory, suppose some of it's true.”

At this they all roared, for it showed what Jack's trouble really was.

”Oh, Jack,” said his sister, ”you mustn't want everything. Even if it were true, you ought to be much happier here.”

”Have some more coffee, Jack,” Mrs. Avory said quickly.

As it was Sunday, they went to Trinity Church (which usually costs sixpence to enter, because of Shakespeare's tomb--a charge of which I am sure the poet would not approve). As the words in the sermon grew longer and longer, Hester made renewed efforts to get a glimpse of the tomb, but it was in a part of the chancel that was not within sight.

She had instead to study the windows, which she always liked to do in church; and she found herself repeating the lines on the tomb, which she had long known:

”Good friend, for Jesus sake forbeare To digg the dust enclosed heare: Bleste be ye man Yt spares these stones, And curst be he yt moves my bones.”