There was not a word of remonstrance, though the boy looked very
disconsolate, and began to murmur the moment his father had gone.
Albinia, who had regarded protection at a dentist's one of the
offices of the head of a family, though dismayed at the task, told
Gilbert that she would come with him in a moment. The girls
exclaimed that no one thought of going with him, and fearing she had
put an affront on his manliness, she asked what he would like, but
could get no answer, only when Lucy scolded him for lingering, he
said, 'I thought _she_ was going with me.'

'Amiable,' thought Albinia, as she ran up to put on her bonnet; 'but
I suppose toothache puts people out of the pale of civilization. And
if he is thankless, is not that treating me more like a mother?'

Perhaps he had accepted her escort in hopes of deferring the evil
hour, for he seemed discomfited to see her so quickly ready, and not
grateful to his sisters, who hurried them by saying that Mr. Bowles
would be gone out upon his rounds.

Mr. Bowles was amazed at the sight of Mrs. Kendal, and so elaborate
in compliments and assurances that Mrs. Bowles would do herself the
honour of calling, that Albinia, pitying Gilbert, called his
attention back.

With him the apothecary was peremptory and facetious. 'He had
expected that he should soon see him after his papa's return!' And
with a 'soon be over,' he set him down, and Albinia bravely stood a
desperate wringing of her hand at the tug of war. She was glad she
had come, for the boy suffered a good deal, and was faint, and Mr.
Bowles pronounced his mouth in no state for a ride to Tremblam.