Evelyn was
still detained in London by old Lady Fordham, who continued to be
kept between life and death by her doctors. Meantime, the sons could
dispose of themselves as they pleased, while under the care of Dr.
Medlicott, and were not wanted at home, so that there was little
doubt but that they would remain with Armine as long as he needed
their physician's care.
All the while Elfie was flitting about, pelting Johnny with handfuls
snatched from over-blown roses, and though he returned the assault at
every pause, his grey travelling suit was bestrewn with crimson,
pink, cream, and white petals.
At last the debris of a huge Eugenie Grandet hit him full on the
bridge of his nose, and caused him to exclaim—-
"Nay, Elfie, you little wretch; that was quite a good rose--not fair
game," and leaping up to give her chase in and out among the beds,
they nearly ran against Janet returning with the letters, and saying
"she was sorry to have been so long, but mother's hoards were never
easy places of research."
Barbara came more slowly back, and looked somewhat as if she had had
a sharper rebuke than she understood or relished.
Poor child! she had suffered much in this her first real trouble, and
a little thing was enough to overset her. She had not readily
recovered from the petulant tone of anger with which Janet told her
not to come peeping and worrying.
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