Lucky I'm not hysterical. Now let me think,
David--Solomon, I mean--no, you shall keep this discovery back awhile;
it may be wanted." She then reminded him that the Fountains were
capricious; that they had dropped him for a week, and eight again; if
so, this might be useful to unlock their street door to him at need.
"Good heavens, Eve, what cunning!"
"David, when I have a bad cause in hand, I do one of two things: I
drop it, or I go into it heart and soul. If my zeal offends you, I can
retire from the contest with great pleasure."
"No! no! no! no! no! If you leave the helm I shall go ashore
directly"--dismay of David; grim satisfaction of his imp.
This matter settled, David asked Eve if she did not think Master
Nelson (Mr. Fountain's new ward) was a very nice boy.
"Yes; and I see he has taken a wonderful fancy to you."
"And so have I to him; we have had one or two walks together. He is to
come here at twelve o'clock to-day."
"Now why couldn't you have asked me first, David? The painters are
coming into the house to-day; and the paperers, and all, and we can't
be bothered with mathematics. You must do them at Font Abbey." Eve was
a little cross. David only laughed at her; but he hesitated about
making a school-house of Font Abbey--it would look like intruding.
"Pooh! nonsense," said Eve; "they will only be too glad to take
advantage of your good-nature."
"He is an orphan," said David, doggedly.
However, the lesson was given at Font Abbey, and after it Master
Nelson came bounding into the drawing-room to the ladies.
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