CHAPTER III
A VACATION AT FERNBOROUGH
The Hon. Nathaniel Adams Sawyer did not dine at home that evening.
Quincy's mother said that he had gone to Salem but would return
later. After dinner the little company of five repaired to the
parlour. Maude sang negro melodies despite the protests of her
mother, and her sister Florence's assertion that they were only sung
at cheap variety shows.
"How do you know that?" cried Maude. "Did Reginald tell you?"
"Who is Reginald?" asked Quincy.
"Oh," said Maude, tossing her head, "he's Florence's latest. She met
him night before last--"
"Maude!" Her sister's voice was full of angry protest. "Don't say
another word."
"Such matters," said her mother mildly, "are not suitable subjects
for general conversation. There is a privacy about them which should
be respected."
"We'll leave Florence out of it, then," said Maude. "I met him at
Mrs. Dulton's reception. His name is Capt. Reginald Hornaby, and he's
the fourth son of Sir Wilfred Hornaby, of Hornaby Hook, Hornaby,
England--don't you know," and she winked spitefully at Florence.
"He told me all that himself," she continued, "so I know it must be
so. Won't it be nice to have a place in England where we can make
ourselves at home?"
"Aunt Ella will be glad to see you at any time," remarked Quincy.
"Why don't you go back with her? She'd be delighted.
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