Carlyon said, "but it will take
some time. I and my servant have already begun to clear the weeds away,
and a new gardener is coming next week."
"Oh, may I help?" exclaimed Halcyone. "I love gardening, and can dig
quite well. I often help William."
"Our old butler does many useful things for us," Miss Roberta explained,
with a slightly conscious air.
And then the adieus were said, Halcyon's first lesson having been
arranged to begin on the morrow.
When the visitor had gone and the door was shut:
"A very worthy, cultivated gentleman, Roberta," Miss La Sarthe announced
to her sister. "We must ask him to dinner the next time Mr. Miller is
coming. We must show him some attention for his kindness to our
great-niece; he will understand and not allow it to flatter him too
much. You remember, Roberta, our Mamma always said unmarried women--of
any age--cannot be too careful of _les convenances_, but we might ask
him to dinner under the circumstances--don't you think so?"
"Oh, I am sure--yes, sister--but I wish you would not talk so of our
age," Miss Roberta said, rather fretfully for her.
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