Geraldine found her four elders and the three little boys all together in the dining-room; and while Wilmet anxiously asked after Mother, the others, in a sort of sad elation, told of the crowds present, the number of clergy--Mr. Ryder, too, came home from his holiday on purpose--the sobbing people, and the wreaths of camellias and of holly, that loving hands had made, and laid upon the coffin. And then the last hymn had been so sweet and beautiful, they all seemed refreshed and comforted except Edgar, who, coming fresh back to the desolation of the house, was in another paroxysm of grief.
'But, Edgar,' said Alda timidly, 'you like being there, don't you?'
'Well! but, Eddy dear, you know what I mean. It is not bad being there.'
'Not so bad as being at home. Oh!' and a terrible fit of sobbing came on, which made the other children stand round rather appalled; while Felix, hesitating, said,
'It is no good going on in this way, Edgar. Father would say it was not right; and you are upsetting poor little Cherry.'
'It is worse for him, because he has been away,' said Cherry, fondling him.
'Yes,' said Edgar between his sobs 'It did not seem _so_ there.'
'Oh, yes. Marilda let me sit in the school-room, and I had books, and things to copy; such an angel, Cherry, I'll bring it to you next time--my copy, I mean.'
Here there was a summons from the other room for Felix.
'Yes,' said Edgar, a good deal re-invigorated by having something to tell; 'I suppose they are going to tell him what is settled. Mr. Underwood wrote to the man at Vale Leston, and he won't do anything for us; but they are going to try for the Clergy Orphan for one of you two little boys.'
'You are to come when we all go to London--to meet us at the station. There's a new governess coming, and you will start both together with her; and I think you'll beat Marilda, for she knows nothing, and won't learn.'
'I don't think it is in her! She's very jolly.'
Wilmet felt they were falling into a gossiping kind of way that jarred on her, and was glad of a summons upstairs.
Mr. Thomas Underwood saw Alda before he returned home, told her she was his other daughter, and should join them on their way to London; and he further made arrangements about the christening, contingent, of course, on the mother's consent, and on the possibility of taking the very small delicate babies to the church. He made very extensive promises of patronage for the future, with a full and open heart, and looked as if he should like to adopt the whole family on the spot.