“What a good thing!” “Yes, only I don’t believe he did it! It was that nasty little Bill Nosey. I am sure that he got hold of the lady’s parcel, and stuffed it into Silky’s cap.” Emilia spoke with a vehemence that made them both laugh, and Gerald said-- “But if he is in a reformatory, what then? Are we to condole with his afflicted family, or bring Bill Nosey to confess?” “I thought I would see about it,” said Emilia vaguely. “Well, I decline to walk in the steps of the police as an amateur! How about the Dicksons?” “Drifted away no one knows where. That’s the worst of it. Those poor things do shift about so.” “Yes. I thought we had got hold of those boys with the gymnasium. But work wants regulating.” “Oh, Gerald, I am glad you are coming. Now I am free! Just fancy, they had a horrid, stupid, slow dinner-party on Easter Monday, of all the burgomasters and great One-eyers, and would not let me go down and sing to the match-girls!” “You had the pleasure of a study of the follies of wealth instead of the follies of poverty.” “Oh, to hear Mrs. Brown discourse on her troubles with her first, second, and third coachman!” “Was the irresistible Ferdinand Brown there?” “Yes, indeed, with diamond beetle studs and a fresh twist to his moustache. It has grown long enough to be waxed.” “How happy that fellow would be if he were obliged to dig! I should like to scatter his wardrobe over Ponter’s Court.” “There, Nan, have you finished?” as Anna swept the scattered leaves into a basket. “Are you coming?” “I don’t think I shall. You would only talk treason--well--social treason all the way, and you don’t want me, and Aunt Cherry would have to lunch alone, unless you wait till after.” “Oh no, I know a scrumptious place for lunch,” said Gerald. “You are right, Annie, one lady is quite enough on one’s hands in such regions. You have no jewellery, Emmie?” “Do you see any verdure about me?” she retorted. So when Gerald’s tardy movements had been overcome, off they started to their beloved slum, Emilia looking as if she were setting forth for Elysium, and they were seen no more, even when five o’clock tea was spread, and Anna making it for her Uncle Lance and his wife, who had just returned, full of political news; and likewise Lance said that he had picked up some intelligence for his sister. He had met General Mohun and Sir Jasper Merrifield, both connections of the Underwoods. General Mohun lived with his sister at Rockstone, Sir Jasper, his brother-in-law, at Clipstone, not far off, and they both recommended Rockquay and its bay “with as much praise,” said Lance, “as the inhabitants ever give of a sea place.” “Very good, except for the visitors,” said Geraldine. “Exactly so. Over-built, over-everythinged, but still tolerable. The General lives there with his sister, and promises to write to me about houses, and Sir Jasper in a house a few miles off.” “He is Bernard’s father-in-law?”