Frogmore turned this over in his mind as he took his walk--the walk which he never intermitted, and which had done so much to keep him in health. Needless to say that the dearest wish of this old gentleman was to keep in health. The young people may be indifferent to it; they may consent to all sorts of rashness, and run all manner of risks; but when a man is drawing near seventy he knows he must not be guilty of any of these follies. Frogmore thought a good deal about his health, avoided everything that could injure it, denied himself even things that he liked, eat sparely, rested often, and avoided all subjects that were disagreeable, on principle, that nothing might affect his precious health. But he could not get this childish brag--this little boy’s chatter out of his mind. It was very annoying; it was not worth troubling about; but he could not get it out of his mind. Nevertheless, for some reason or other, he stayed longer at Greenpark than he had any intention of doing. He remained on from day to day, to Mrs. Parke’s annoyance yet pleasure. “It is clear that Frogmore likes being here,” she said to her husband with some pride. “Yes,” said John, “but it’s a bore.” “It _is_ a bore,” said Letitia, “but it always looks well to be on such good terms with the head of your family: and most likely he will do something for the children.” “I don’t see what he can do for the children; it will all come to us naturally,” her husband said. “Oh, John, _naturally_! How can you talk such nonsense; naturally he will leave everything he can away from us: but if he takes a liking to the children!” John was obliged, as he usually was, to allow that there was a great deal in what Letitia said.