He was really very amusing, and sometimes very nice; but he was both during lunch; it was when that refection was over, and Lady Severn had gone into an inner room to write out a commission--it had something to do with the matching of sewing-silks--for her daughter to execute in Regent Street that Lord Lullworth ceased to be amusing because he began to be funny. He told Amber that he didn’t mind being one of the literary arbitrators on the Aunt Dorothy competition, should such be set on foot at the Technical School. Would dear Aunt Dorothy tell him what was the colour of Adam’s grey mare? Would she hazard a reply to the query, under the heading of “Our Feathered Pets” as to whether the white goose or the grey goose was the gander? Also could she supply some information respecting the man who had the twenty-six sheep--twenty sick sheep, mind--and when one of them died how many were left? “I will not have my hobby made fun of,” said Amber. “It would do you all the good in the world to come to the school.” “I believe it would,” he said, after a pause, “and I do believe that I’ll come; but it won’t be for the sake of the show, but just because you are there. Now, a fortnight ago I would have laughed at the idea of going to such a show, so I think that you’ll agree with me in what I said about love growing. I really feel that mine is becoming quite grown up. He has got too big for his sailor suit, and I’ll have to get him measured for an Eton jacket. I wonder if you have been thinking over the possibilities that I placed before you that day.” “Of course I thought over them. Why shouldn’t I?” said Amber. “And do they appear so ridiculous now as they did then?” “Not nearly so ridiculous,” she replied. “One gets used to things. Really there’s nothing I like better than to hear that you will be some place where I am going. I have--yes, I have got really to like you.” “You never thought of wishing to have me for a brother, did you?” he asked apprehensively. “Oh, never--never--I give you my word--never!” she cried, and he breathed freely once more. “Thank goodness! Then I’ve still got a chance. If you had ever felt that you would like me for a brother I would put on my hat and skip. Do you know that you are encouraging me?” “Of course I know it. I meant to encourage you, just to see what will come of it.” “You’ll see. I should like to encourage you. It will take a deal of encouragement to bring you on so that we may start scratch; because, you know, I--I really do believe that I’m on the verge of being in love with you.” “I would not go on any further, until I catch you up.” “If I thought you would one day.”