I'm glad you are come home, Johnny; it was quite
right to come as soon as your aunt could spare you, poor thing! She
writes warmly about you; I am glad you were able to be of use to her,
but you ought not to waste any more time."
"No. I wrote to my tutor that I would be at Eton to-morrow night, in
time to begin the week's work."
"Papa!" cried out Mrs. Brownlow, "you will never let him start so
soon? He is so pulled down, I must have him at home to get him right
again; and there are all his clothes to look over!"
Colonel Brownlow gave the odd little chuckling noise that meant to
all the family that he did not see the force of mamma's objections,
and John asseverated that he was perfectly well, and that his Eton
garments were all at Hyde Corner, where he should take them up.
Meantime, he thought he ought to walk to Belforest to report to his
cousins, and carry a key which his aunt had sent by him to Janet.
"They will be coming in this evening," said his mother; "you had
better stay and rest."
"I must go over, thank you," said John. "There is a book Armine
wants to have sent out to him. Jessie, will you walk with me?"
"And me!" cried George.
"And me!" cried Edmund.
"And me, Lina go!" cried the smallest voice.
But the Colonel disconcerted the petitioners by announcing that he
had business at Belforest, and would drive Johnny over in the dog-
cart.
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