quaintness that vexed her, and forced her to turn away to let
the tear drop.

Clement said, in his calm voice, 'How can you be all so repining and
foolish!'

And Mr. Underwood, almost in lazy mischief, pursued his experiment.
'Eh, Felix, you are the party most concerned--what say you?'

'Most concerned?' Felix looked up surprised, then recollected
himself. 'I don't care,' he said, with an appearance of gruff
sullenness; but his father could not content himself without
continuing in a semi-teazing tone, 'Don't care--eh? 'Why this Centry
Underwood once belonged to our family--that's the reason Tom is after
it. If I had not scouted old Kedge, you would be prancing about here,
a Harrovian, counting the partridges.'

'Don't!' broke in Felix, with a growl.

'Never fear, Fee'' cried Edgar, with his hand on his brother's
shoulder; if one man got on in life, another may. If one only was
grown up and had the start----' and his blue eyes sparkled.

'I did not know Care's clutch had been so tight,' sighed Mr.
Underwood, half to himself, half to his wife. It is not safe, my
gentle Enid, to try such experiments. Eh!' rousing himself, what's
that? Have the mob there a right to any sentiments?'

'Only,' cried Clement, shouting with laughter, Lance thought you were
wanted to hold a high stool for Jack Ketch.'