"I wish you would not misunderstand things on purpose! there is not any fun in it! _Both_ times I _wanted_ him to come! I _asked_ him particularly!" "And, if I may make so bold as to inquire," asks Bobby, striking in, "how did the young friend call himself?
What was his name ?" "Musgrave," reply I, shortly.

"Frank Musgrave!" for the stream of my conversation seems dried.
"Was he _nice_?
Should _we_ like him ?" ask Tou Tou, who has recovered her equanimity, dried her tears, and forgotten the bishop.
"He was nice _to look at_!" reply I cautiously.
"That is a very different thing!" says Barbara, laughing.

"But was he nice in himself ?" I reflect.
"No," say I, "I do not think he was: at least, he wanted a great deal of alteration." "As I have no doubt that you told him," says Algy, with a smile.
"I dare say I did," reply I, distantly, for I am not pleased with Algy.
A little pause.
"I think he _was_ nice, too, _in a way_," say I, rather compunctiously.
"I used to tell him about all of you, and--I dare say it was pretense--but he _seemed_ to like to hear about you! When I came away, he sent his love to Barbara; he would not send any messages to you boys--he said he hated boys!" "Humph!" Another short silence.

The elders have gone in to tea.

Through the windows, I see the lamplight shining on the tea-cups.
"Algy!" say I, in a rather low voice, edging a little nearer to where he lies gracefully outspread, "you did not mean it, _really_?
You do not think I--I--I--_neglected_ the general, do you ?--you do not think I--I--_liked_ to be away from him ?" "My lady!" replies he, teasingly, "I _think_ nothing! I only know what your ladyship was good enough to tell me!" Then we all get up, shoulder our rugs, and walk in..