Far to Seek - A Romance of England and India by Maud Diver
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page 37 of 598 (06%)
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her knees comforting Christine; and as Roy's senses cleared, he saw with
a throb of relief that his mother was not there. But Aunt Jane was--and Uncle Cuthbert---- He seemed to stand there panting and aching in an endless silence, full of eyes. He did not know that his father was giving him a few seconds to recover himself. Then: "What do you mean by it, Roy?" he asked; and this time his voice was really stern. It hurt more than the bruises. "Gentlemen don't hammer their guests." This was an unexpected blow. And it wasn't fair. How could he explain before "all those"? His cheeks were burning, his head was aching; and tears, that must not be allowed to fall, were pricking like needles under his lids. It was Tara who spoke--still clutching Prince, lest he overwhelm Roy and upset his hardly maintained dignity. "Joe made him angry--he _did_," she thrust in with feminine officiousness; and was checked by her mother's warning finger. Mrs Bradley--long and thin and beaky--bore down upon her battered son, who edged away sullenly from proffered caresses. Sir Nevil, not daring to meet the humorous eye of Cuthbert Broome--still contemplated the dishevelled dignity of his own small son--half puzzled, half vexed. "You've done it now, Roy. Say you're sorry," he prompted; his voice a shade less stern than he intended. |
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