Mrs.
Strang, on the other hand, thinks we're wickedly extravagant!' Her neighbour was so much amused that conversation flowed on easily thenceforward; and Desmond opposite whispered to Pamela: 'Just look at Broomie! She's actually making Aubrey talk.' The Major's role, however, was on the whole that of listener.

For Elizabeth meant to talk--meant to explain herself to the son and heir, and, if she could, to drive him to an interest in the family affairs.

To her trained, practical mind the whole clan seemed by now criminally careless and happy-go-lucky.

The gardens were neglected; so was the house; so was the estate.

The gardens ought to have been made self-supporting; there were at least a third too many servants in the house; and as for the estate, instead of being a profit-making and food-producing concern, as it should have been, it was a bye-word for bad management and neglected land.