A SPY IN THE HOUSEHOLD 15

the Rector of Apsley can teach them, more than half are
sons of gentlemen whose opinions are similar to my own.
It would be much better, John Dormay, if, instead of com-
plaining of my boy, you were to look somewhat to your
own. I marked, the last time he came over here, that he
was growing loutish in his manners, and that he bore him-
self with less respect to his elders than is seemly in a lad
of that age. He needs curbing, and would carry himself
all the better if, like Charlie, he had an hour a day at
sword exercise. I speak for the boy’s good. It is true
that you yourself, being a bitter Whig, mix but little with
your neighbours, who are for the most part the other way
of thinking; but this may not go on for ever, and you
would, I suppose, like Alured when he grows up to mix
with others of his rank in the county, and it would be well,
therefore, that he should have the accomplishments and
manners of young men of his own age.”

John Dormay did not reply hastily—it was his policy to
keep on good terms with his wife’s cousin, for the knight
was a man of far higher consideration in the county than
himself. His smile, however, was not a pleasant one as he
rose and said, “My mission has hardly terminated as I
expected, Sir Marmaduke. I came to complain, and I go
away advised somewhat sharply.”

“Tut, tut, man!” the knight said. “I speak only for
the lad’s good, and I am sure that you cannot but feel the
truth of what I have said. What does Alured want. to
make enemies for? It may be that it was only my son who
openly resented his ill-timed remarks, but you may be sure
that others were equally displeased, and maybe their resent-
ment will last much longer than that which was quenched
in a fair stand-up fight. Certainly, there need be no mal-
ice between the boys. Alured’s defeat may even do him
good, for he cannot but feel that it is somewhat disgraceful
to be beaten by one nearly a head shorter than he,”