Egbert shrugged his shoulders good-naturedly. 'It's only Kit's way,' he explained to Jill; 'everybody gives in to Kit.'
Jill smiled. 'Kit's way' had made her forget her shyness, and she was already interested in the delicate-looking lad, with the thin, clever face, who had so promptly taken her under his protection.
'The next is Wilfred,' continued Christopher. 'He is responsible for the unsavoury saucepan that has just been upset on the carpet. He thinks he is going to be a doctor, so he is always making experiments. Of course, he isn't going to be a doctor, really; the house can't run to it; but we let him have his fancies. Then comes Peter, whom you have just sat upon. Peter can't help being funny, so you must try and bear with him. There are so few jokes in this family that perhaps we have encouraged him more than we should.'
'Wait till she's gone, that's all!' threatened Peter in a whisper, as he passed by after shaking hands with Jill. Christopher looked at him over his spectacles, and went calmly on.
'I'm next on the list, and my name is Christopher, changed by the vulgar into Kit,' he was proceeding, when Egbert made a spirited interruption.
'He is our genius,' he said, with a flourish of his hand towards the spokesman. 'We are all very proud of him, for although only thirteen, he has the wisdom and intelligence of one twice his age. He is the only member of the family who can spell, and----'
'Oh, dry up!' muttered Kit, but his remonstrance was drowned in the approving jeers of the others. The genius had had it all his own way for about ten minutes, and it was satisfactory to see him 'scored off' in his turn. Kit tried to resume his dignified attitude in front of Jill, but the attempt was not particularly successful. It was always impossible in the Berkeley family to remain dignified for long.
'Are you sure you have got them right so far, or shall I write them down?' he asked, with so much gravity that Jill looked at him rather suspiciously. He met her glance through his spectacles without wincing, and the others tittered again. They were still a little doubtful about this new cousin of theirs, who was so unlike any one who had come their way before; and it was rather a relief to pretend to be amused.
