There had been a gap in the family after Tristram's appearance, caused by the death, from diphtheria, of two other boys; then came the two girls of twenty and nineteen respectively and, lastly, Cyril.
His big, blue eyes rounded with astonishment and interest when he heard the important news.

All he said was: "Well, she must be a corker, if Tristram thinks her good enough.

But what a beastly nuisance! He won't go to Canada now, I suppose, and we shan't have that ranch.".