"Well, sir, here I am again, turned up just like a bad penny!" And his
host answered absently:--"Yes, yes, Godfrey--very glad to see you, I'm
sure."
Then, after he had shaken hands with Janet and Tom, they all stood
together on the hearthrug waiting, so Radmore supposed, for the
parlourmaid to come in and announce dinner.
But instead of that happening, the door opened and Timmy appeared. "Will
you come into the dining-room? Everything's ready now."
They all followed him, three of the younger ones--Tom, Dolly and
Rosamund--laughing and whispering together. Somehow Timmy never
associated himself with those of his brothers and sisters nearest to
him in age.
Radmore came last of all with Janet. He felt as if he were in a strange,
unreal dream. It was all at once so like and so unlike what he had
expected to find it. All these quiet, demure-looking young strangers,
instead of the jolly, familiar children he had left nine years ago--and,
as he realised with a sharp pang--no George. He had not known till
to-night how much he had counted on seeing George, or at least on hearing
all about him. Instead, here was Jack, so very self-possessed--or was it
superior?--in his smart evening jacket.
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