We mustn't encourage them
in idle reading. And that reminds me of Alice. You really must get
her away from those novels. I can't make out what's come to the
girl. She seems to be going off her head. Did you notice at
lunch?--she didn't seem to understand what I said to her. Do try and
persuade her to practise, if nothing else.'
'I am afraid to do more than just advise in a pleasant way,' said
Adela.
'Well, I shall lose my temper with her before long.'
'How is Harry doing? 'Adela asked, to pass over the difficult
subject.
'He's an idle scamp! If some one 'ud give him a good thrashing,
that's what _he_ wants.'
'Shall I ask him to dinner to-morrow?'
'You can if you like, of course,' Richard replied with hesitation.
'I shouldn't have thought you cared much about having him.'
'Oh, I am always very glad to have him. I have meant to ask you to
let him dine with us oftener. I am so afraid he should think we
neglect him, and that would be sure to have a bad effect.'
Mutimer looked at her with satisfaction, and assented to her
reasoning.
'But about the fairy tales,' Adela said presently, when Richard had
finished his cigar and was about to return to the works. 'Do you
seriously object to them? Of course I could find another book.'
'What do _you_ think? I am rather surprised that Wyvern suggested
reading of that kind; he generally has good ideas.
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