Observe this camp-stool. When I shift it from
my left hand to my right, I am talking Joyce. When I shift it from my
right hand to my left, I am talking Wragge. In the first case, don't
interrupt me--I am leading up to my point. In the second case, say
anything you like; my remarks are not of the slightest consequence.
Would you like a rehearsal? Are you sure you understand? Very good--take
my arm, and look happy. Steady! here they are."
The meeting took place nearly midway between Sea-view Cottage and North
Shingles. Captain Wragge took off his tall white hat and opened the
interview immediately on the friendliest terms.
"Good-morning, Mrs. Lecount," he said, with the frank and cheerful
politeness of a naturally sociable man. "Good-morning, Mr. Vanstone;
I am sorry to see you suffering to-day. Mrs. Lecount, permit me to
introduce my niece--my niece, Miss Bygrave. My dear girl, this is Mr.
Noel Vanstone, our neighbor at Sea-view Cottage. We must positively
be sociable at Aldborough, Mrs. Lecount. There is only one walk in the
place (as my niece remarked to me just now, Mr. Vanstone); and on that
walk we must all meet every time we go out. And why not? Are we formal
people on either side? Nothing of the sort; we are just the reverse.
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