Primrose was equal to the occasion. “Oh, they all laugh at Cousin Rotherwood; and, besides, a superior young man does not mean a gentleman.” Thekla burst into angry tears and sobs, which brought Gillian, and a grave, dark young lady from the other side of a rock to inquire what was the matter—there was a confession on the two tongues of “she did,” and “I didn’t” of “painter cad, superior young man and no gentleman,” but at last it cleared itself into Primrose allowing that, to take down Thekla’s conceit, she had declared that a very superior young man did not mean a gentleman. “I could not have believed that you could have been so abominably ill-mannered,” said Gillian gravely; “you ought to apologise to Thekla.” “Oh, never mind,” began Thekla ashamed; and at that moment a frantic barking was heard in the depths, and Valetta, Wilfred, Fergus and a dog or two darted headlong past, calling out, “Hedgehogs, hedgehogs! Run! come!” And Primrose, giving a hand to Thekla, joined in the general rush down the glade. “A situation relieved!” said the newcomer. “For all ran to see, For they took him to be An Egyptian porcupig,” quoted Gillian. “They have wanted such a beast for some time for their menagerie; but really Primrose is getting much too old to indulge in such babyish incivility to a guest, true though the speech was, ‘a superior young man,’ not necessarily a gentleman.” “I am colonial enough to like him the better for the absence of a hall mark.” “Should you have missed it? He is very good looking, and has a sensible refined countenance, poor man!” “He is a little too point device, too obviously got up for the occasion!” “Too like the best electroplate! No; that is not fair, for it is not pretence, at least, I should think there was sound material below, and that never would brighten instead of dimming it.” “According to Mysie and Fly, there is plenty of good taste; and his principle is vouched for. Mysie is quite furious at any lady-love having gone to sleep to the sound of original verses from a lover!” “Dear old Mysie! No, she would not. She has a practical vein in her! Would you?” “I’m not likely to be tried!” said Gillian merrily. “Catch Ernley either practising or not minding his boat! But come! Mamma will want me, I feel only deputy daughter, with Mysie away.” The two girls rose from the mossy bank, and proceeded across the paddock to the opening of the glade. On the turf Lady Merrifield sat enthroned; making a nucleus to the festivities and delicacies of all sorts, from sandwiches and cakes down to strawberries, cherries and Devonshire cream, were displayed before her; and the others drifted up gradually, Miss Mohun first. “I am later than I meant to be,” she said, “but I was delayed by a talk with Sister Beata. I never saw a woman more knocked down than she is by that adventure of Vera’s.”