He was too much upset even
to follow Clement to the organ, or to settle to the drawing which
Cherry was teaching him, and was a great torment to himself and his
sisters till dinner-time, when Clement had done his organ and his
Greek, and was ready for a rush for the ice; and Robina went joyously
with them. 'Between two young ladies one can't well run into harm's
way,' said Lance.
So things went on for a fortnight. Fulbert never shuffled, he went
openly to Marshlands Hall; and though not boasting of his
expeditions, did not treat them as a secret. Wilmet and Geraldine
each tried persuasion, but were silenced rudely; and Felix, unable to
enforce his authority, held his tongue, but was very unhappy, both
for the present and for the future. He did not believe much harm was
doing now, but the temptation would increase with every vacation as
the boys came nearer to manhood; and he seemed to have lost all
influence and moral power over Fulbert.
Good old Mrs. Froggatt gave a small children's party, to which, with
many apologies, she invited the lesser Underwoods, under charge of
Wilmet. They were to sleep at the cottage, and Wilmet having offered
to help in dressing the Christmas-tree, they set out early in the day
to walk, escorted by the three brothers.
Pages:
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449