Last
Christmas I made her promise to dance with me to-day.'
Lily had hoped to be that one, but she did not oppose Reginald, and
turned to listen to Eleanor, who was saying, 'Let us clearly
understand how every one is to go, it will save a great deal of
confusion. You and Jane, and Maurice, go in the phaeton, do not you?
And who drives you?'
'William, I believe,' said Lily. 'Claude goes earlier, so he rides
the gray. Then there is the chariot for you and Frank, and papa and
Phyllis.'
So it was proposed, but matters turned out otherwise. The phaeton,
which, with a promoted cart-horse, was rather a slow conveyance, was
to set out first, but the whole of the freight was not ready in time.
The ladies were in the hall as soon as it came to the door, but
neither of the gentlemen were forthcoming. Reginald, who was
wandering in the hall, was sent to summon them; but down he came in
great wrath. Maurice had declared that he was not ready, and they
must wait for him till he had tied his neckcloth, which Reginald
opined would take three quarters of an hour, as he was doing it
scientifically, and William had said that he was not going in the gig
at all, that he had told Wat Greenwood to drive, and that Reginald
must go instead of Maurice.
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