Her brothers were not of the same mind, for Rob was never happy out
of sight of Jock. Johnny worshipped his aunt, and Joe was
gregarious, so there was generally an accompanying rabble of six or
seven boys, undistinguishable by outsiders, though very individual
indeed in themselves and adding a considerable element of noise, high
spirits, and mischievous enterprise. The man in the velvet coat,
whose proper name was Orlando Hughes, was as much of a boy as any of
them, and so could Mr. Acton be on occasion, thus giving a certain
Bohemian air to their doings.
Things came to a crisis on one of the dog-days. Young Dr. Drake had
brought his bride to show to his old friend, and they were staying at
the Folly, while a college friend of Mr. Ogilvie's, a London curate,
had come to see him in the course of a cathedral tour, and had stayed
on, under the attraction of the place, taking the duty for a few
Sundays.
The weather was very sultry, forbidding exertion on the part of all
save cricketers; but there was a match at Redford, and Kenminster was
eager about it, so that all the boys, grown up or otherwise, walked
over to see it, accompanied by Nita Ray with her inseparable Janet,
meaning to study village groups and rustic sports. The other ladies
walked in the cool to meet them at the Acton's farmhouse, chiefly, it
was alleged, in deference to the feelings of the bride, who could not
brave the heat, but had never yet been so long separated from her
bridegroom.
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