"
"Besides that, they were not my due," said John.
"I never thought of the boy."
"If you did not, you saved him--twice!"
"A Newfoundland-dog instinct. But I am glad the little scamp is not
the worse. I suppose he is to appear to-morrow?"
"Oh, yes! and the vicar begs no notice may be taken of him. He is
really a very naughty little fellow, and if he is made a hero for
getting himself and us so nearly drowned by birds'-nesting on a
Sunday in the park, it will be perfectly demoralising!"
"You are as bad as your keeper!"
"I am only repeating the general voice," said Sydney, with a gleam
upon her face, half-droll, half-tender. "Poor little man! I got him
alone this morning, while his mother was pouring forth to mine, and I
think he has a little more notion where thanks are due."
"I should like to see him," said John. "I'll try not to demoralise
him; but he has given me some happy moments."
The voice was low, and Sydney blushed as she laughed and said—-
"That's like Babie, saying it was delightful."
"She is quite right as far as I am concerned."
The hue on Sydney's cheek deepened excessively, as she said—-
"Is George Hollis next?"
They went on steadily after that, and Willis was not kept long
waiting. Then came the whirl of arrivals, Cecil with his Hampton
cousins, Sir James Evelyn and Armine, Jessie and her General, and the
Kenminster party.
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