"Oh, if you please, sir," Caroline said before retiring, "missis says will you please to knock on the floor with yer ’eel when ye’re ready for the sweet. It is my evening out, and missis says as ’ow I can get ready now and she’ll answer yer."
She addressed herself to Gerald, but looked the while deprecatingly at Teddie, who, though perhaps the more severe of the two young gentlemen, and more particular to have things to his liking, was her favourite, even while she stood in greater awe of him.
"Very well," Gerald returned; "but why doesn’t she—Mrs. Walters—ask us to ring as usual?"
"She’s a-sitting in the cool, sir—she’s in the first-floor front sitting-room." Caroline almost whispered this solemn circumstance; for the first-floor front sitting-room was a marvel of shining lustres, hunting scenes, and crimson and gold furniture. "She mightn’t ’ear the _bell_, but she’s just under yer ’eel."
"All right," Gerald rejoined, and nodded dismissal. "We will make her hear."
"Don’t be late home, Caroline," Teddie put in, warningly. "Back by ten sharp, mind."
"And tell your young man from me that you are a good enough sort," he continued; "and I would say more, but I don’t want to make you vain." He began to attack his dinner with youthful ardour and interest.
"Thank you, sir," the girl answered deferentially. She left the room, quite overwhelmed with Mr. Edward’s compliment, a broad smile of pleasure pervading her countenance.
"You are very genial to-night," remarked Gerald presently.
The two had by this time made considerable inroad on their somewhat astonishing platefuls, and were at leisure to take matters a little more easily.
"Am I?" asked Teddie, gratified. "I feel genial." And he beamed about the room.
Without further comment the two finished with the mutton, and began a solemn tattoo upon the floor with their heels; becoming so interested in the martial sounds produced with military precision and kettledrum-like effect, that they only desisted on becoming aware that Mrs. Walters was calling desperately from below, "I’m comin’."
The "sweet" of which Caroline had spoken proved to be baked sago. When the landlady reappeared to remove this dish, Teddie, with well-assumed carelessness, addressed her.