"What a mercy that there's a Port Natal to be off to!" was his comment.
Things were not particularly promising at home, when Roland entered,
looking at them from a quiet, sociable point of view. Lady Augusta was
spending the evening at the deanery, and the children, from Gerald
downwards, were turning the general parlour into a bear-garden.
Romping, quarrelling, shouting and screaming, they were really as
unrestrained as so many young bears. It would often be no better when
Lady Augusta was at home. How Gerald and Tod contrived to do their
lessons amidst it was a marvel to every one. Roland administered a few
cuffs, to enjoin silence, and then went out again, he did not much care
where. His feet took him to the house of his friend, Knivett, with whom
he spent a pleasant evening, the topics of conversation turning chiefly
upon the glories of Port Natal, and Roland's recent adventure with
Hopper. Had anything been wanted to put the finishing touch to Roland's
resolution, that little adventure would have supplied it.
It was past ten when he returned home. The noisy throng had dispersed
then, all except Gerald. Gerald had just accomplished his tasks, and
was now gracefully enjoying a little repose before the fire; his head
on the back of my lady's low embroidered chair, and his feet extended
on either hob.
"What's for supper?" asked Roland, turning his eyes on the cloth, which
bore traces that a party, and not a scrupulously tidy one, had already
partaken of that meal.
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