do bottleholder for one's
governor on these occasions. It'd seem more natural the other way,
wouldn't it?"

"Depends a bit on the relative ages, doesn't it?"

"Yes, of course, that's it. The governor's getting on, though." He
looked across at me. "He's a gentleman, though. The way he told Aunt
Sarah and me about it was good--quite good. He said his mind had been
made up for some time, but he couldn't formally take such a step without
discovering the feelings of the--well, he called us something
pleasant--the people who'd lived with him and done so much for his
happiness for so many years, ever since mother--'your dear mother,' he
said--died. So he told us what he was going to do, and asked our good
wishes. Rather straight of him, don't you think?"

"I should always expect the straight thing of him," I said.

"Yes--and that'll suit her at all events." (Did he unintentionally hint
that some other things would not?) "She's straight as a die, isn't she?
Look at the straight way she's treated me! As soon as she saw me--well,
inclined to be--oh, you know!--she put it all straight directly; and
we're the best of pals--I'd go through fire and water for her--and I
wished the old governor luck with all my heart."

"I'm delighted to hear you feel like that about it--I really am. And I'm
sure Miss Driver would be, too. I hope Lady Sarah is equally pleased?"

His blue eyes twinkled. "You needn't put that on for me, Austin," he
remarked, with a pleasant lapse into greater intimacy. "I imagine Aunt
Sarah's feelings are no secret! However, she said all the proper things
and pecked the governor's cheek. Couldn't ask more, could you?" He
laughed as he stretched his shapely gaitered legs before the fire.
"After all, there'll be two pretty big houses--Fillingford and
Breysgate! Room for all!"

"You'll be wanting one presently."

"I shall live with the old folks--I say, how'd Miss Driver like to hear
that?--till I get married--which won't be for a long while, I hope. Then
we'll set Aunt Sarah up at Hatcham Ford. Octon will be gone by then, I
hope! I saw the fellow in the town the other day. I wonder he doesn't
go. It can't be pleasant to stop in a place where you're cut!"

"Octon has his own resources, I daresay."

"Sorry for the resources!" Lacey remarked. "I say, how long ought we to
give the governor?"

"Don't hurry matters."

"It can't take very long, can it? The governor means to settle it out of
hand; he almost said as