’So he lets the little boys go to the National School, though there’s no great harm in that as yet.’

’He meant to come and see after them himself, and find out what they are made of.  But meantime this youth, who did well at first, is always running after music and nonsense of all kinds, thinking himself above his business, neglecting right and left; while as to the sister, she is said to be very clever at designing—–­both ways in fact—–­so determined to draw young Stebbing in, that, having got proof of it at last, they have dismissed her too.  And, Jane, I hardly like to tell you, but somehow they mix Gillian up in the business.  They ate it up again when I cut them short by saying she was my cousin, her mother and you like my sisters.  I am certain it is all nonsense, but had you any notion of any such thing?  It is insulting you, though, to suppose you had not,’ he added, as he saw her air of acquiescence; ‘so, of course, it is all right.’

’It is not all right, but not so wrong as all that.  Oh no! and I know all about it from poor Gill herself and the girl.  Happily they are both too good girls to need prying.  Well, the case is this.  There was a quarrel about a love story between the two original Whites, who must both have had a good deal of stuff in them.  Dick ran away, enlisted, rose, and was respected by Jasper, etc., but was married to a Greco-Hibernian wife, traditionally very beautiful, poor woman, though rather the reverse at present.  Lily and her girls did their best for the young people with good effect on the eldest girl, who really in looks and ways is worthy of her Muse’s name, Kalliope.  Father had to retire with rank of captain, and died shortly after.  Letters failed to reach the Merrifields, who were on the move.  This Quarry cousin was written to, and gave the help he described to you.  Perhaps it was just, but it disappointed them, and while the father lived, Alexis had been encouraged to look to getting to the University and Holy Orders.  He has a good voice, and the young curate at the Kennel patronised him, perhaps a little capriciously, but I am not quite sure.  All this was unknown to me till the Merrifield children came, and Gillian, discovering these Whites, flew upon them in the true enthusiastic Lily-fashion, added to the independence of the modern maiden mistrustful of old cats of aunts.  Like a little goose, she held trystes with Kalliope, through the rails at the top of the garden on Sunday afternoons.’

‘Only Kalliope!’

’Cela va sans dire.  The brother was walking the young ones on the cliffs whence she had been driven by the attentions of Master Frank Stebbing.  Poor thing, she is really beautiful enough to be a misfortune to her, and so is the youth—–­Maid of Athens, Irish eyes, plus intellect.  Gill lent books, and by and by volunteered to help the lad with his Greek.’

‘Whew—–­’

’Just as she would teach a night-school class.  She used to give him lessons at his sister’s office.  I find that as soon as Kalliope found it was unknown to me she protested, and did all in her power to prevent it, but Gillian had written all to her mother, and thought that sufficient.’