Yes, Mr John Grey has come. He is here in this house at this minute — or, more probably, waiting outside by the lake till he shall see a light in your bedroom. Then Lady Glencora paused for a moment, waiting that Alice might say something. But Alice said nothing. Well? said Lady Glencora, rising up from her chair. Well?
Well? said Alice.
Papa, shall I stay at home with you? she gravely asked. Every consideration should give way to illness. If you would like me to remain, or if I can do any good, pray let me.
It was Saturday night a few weeks after the intimate conversation held between Robert and Madame Ratignolle on their way from the beach. An unusual number of husbands, fathers, and friends had come down to stay over Sunday; and they were being suitably entertained by their families, with the material help of Madame Lebrun. The dining tables had all been removed to one end of the hall, and the chairs ranged about in rows and in clusters. Each little family group had had its say and exchanged its domestic gossip earlier in the evening. There was now an apparent disposition to relax; to widen the circle of confidences and give a more general tone to the conversation.
I’ve earned my living from them, Brat said.
Have you nothing to say? Is it the same to you as though Mr Smith had come?
No; not exactly the same. I am quite alive to the importance of Mr Grey’s arrival, and shall probably lie awake all night thinking about it — if it will do you any good to know that; but I don’t feel that I have much to say about it.
Quite the contrary; I had rather you were away. You can do no earthly good, for I could not have you in the room. Good-bye, darling. If you see Carlyle, tell him I shall hope to see him tomorrow.
Many of the children had been permitted to sit up beyond their usual bedtime. A small band of them were lying on their stomachs on the floor looking at the colored sheets of the comic papers which Mr. Pontellier had brought down. The little Pontellier boys were permitting them to do so, and making their authority felt.
You come and see what I’ve got in my stable. He began to lead the way to the back of the house.