Fenton's Quest by M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
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bargains with traders of doubtful solvency, or hazardous investments in
stocks, as the case might be; the gentleman farmer ruminating upon the chances of a good harvest, or the probable value of his Scotch short-horns. Mr. Lister had preferred lounging about the farm with a cigar in his mouth to attendance at church upon this particular Sunday evening. He had finished his customary round of inspection by this time, and was sitting by one of the open windows of the drawing-room, with his body in one luxurious chair, and his legs extended upon another, deep in the study of the _Gardener's Chronicle_, which he flung aside upon the appearance of his family. "Well, Toddlekins," he cried to the little girl, "I hope you were very attentive to the sermon; listened for two, and made up for your lazy dad. That's a vicarious kind of devotion that ought to be permitted occasionally to a hard-working fellow like me.--I'm glad you've come back to give us some tea, Belle. Don't go upstairs; let Susan carry up your bonnet and shawl. It's nearly nine o'clock. Toddlekins wants her tea before she goes to bed." "Lucy has had her tea in the nursery," said Mrs. Lister, as she took her seat before the cups and saucers. "But she will have some more with papa," replied Martin, who had an amiable knack of spoiling his children. There were only two--this bright fair-haired Lucy, aged nine, and a sturdy boy of seven. They sipped their tea, and talked a little about who had been at church and who had not been, and the room was filled with that atmosphere of |
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