'I think a lady is the person to say what one may do or not in the
drawing-room; don't you?' said Leonard.

'That depends.'

'And you let your brother spread his things all over yours!'

'So I do; but I would not if papa minded it, or even if this were
Richard's house, and he did not like it. Don't begin with worries
about trifles, pray, Leonard.'

'It is not I that care about trifles,' returned the boy. 'How was
one to reckon on a man setting up a monomania about dogs' paws in the
hall?'

'I have feared we were rather foolish; I ought to have reminded you
to ask whether Mab would be welcome.'

'I was not going to ask leave, I have no one whose leave to ask,'
said Leonard, in tones at first proud, then sad.

'That's a bad beginning,' returned Ethel. 'As master of the house,
your brother has a right to your compliance, and if you do not all
give way to each other, you will have nothing but dissension and
misery.'

'All to each other; yes, that is fair.'

'He must have given way to you in letting you keep the dog at all in