The Trial [56]
Aubrey; 'the liveliest literature you can get in Richard's parlour are the Missionary Reports.' 'Exactly so; and he got quite saturated with them; and when we walked home, I was so thankful that the rifle grievance should be a little displaced, that I led him on to talk and build castles rather more than according to my resolutions.' 'Hollo, Ethel!' said Harry. 'Yes, I think spontaneous castles are admirable, but I mistrust all timber from other people's woods.' 'But isn't this a horrid shame of Henry?' said Aubrey. 'Such a little prig as he is, to take the place of such a fellow as Leonard, a capital shot already.' 'I wish Henry had been magnanimous,' said Ethel. 'I'd as soon talk of a magnanimous weasel, from what I recollect,' said Harry. 'And he is worse now, Harry,' continued Aubrey. 'So spruce and silky out of doors, and such a regular old tyrannical bachelor indoors. He is jealous of Leonard, any one can see, and that's the reason he won't give him his due.' 'You observe,' said Ethel, 'that this boy thinks the youngest brother's due is always to come first.' 'So it is, in this family,' said Harry. 'No one comes so last as old Ritchie.' 'But of course,' said Aubrey, rather taken aback, 'if I were not youngest, I should have to knock under to some one.' Ethel and Harry both laughed heartily; one congratulating him on not having carried the principle into the cockpit, the other adding, 'Don't indoctrinate Leonard with it; there is enough already to breed bitterness between those brothers! Leonard ought to be kept in mind that Henry has so much to harass him, that his temper should be borne patiently with.' 'He!' 'I don't think papa's best endeavours have kept all his father's practice for him, and I am sure their rate of living must make him feel pinched this Christmas.' 'Whew! He will be in a sweeter humour than ever!' 'I have been trying to show Leonard that there's room for magnanimity on his side at least; and don't you go and upset it all by common- place abuse of tutors and governors.' 'I upset it!' cried Aubrey: 'I might as well try to upset the Minster as a word from you to Leonard.' 'Nonsense! What's that?' For they were hailed from behind, and looking round saw two tall figures, weapon in hand, in pursuit. They proved to be Hector Ernescliffe and Leonard Ward, each bearing one of what Dr. May called the H. E. rifles; but Leonard looked half shy, half grim, and so decidedly growled off all Aubrey's attempts at inquiry or congratulation, that Ethel hazarded none, and Aubrey looked discomfited, wearing an expression which Harry took to mean that the weight of his rifle fatigued him, and insisted on carrying it for him, in, spite of his rather insulted protests and declarations that the sailor was an invalid; Ethel had walked forwards, and found Leonard at her side, with a darkening brow as he glanced back at the friendly contest. 'Harry spoils Aubrey as much as all the others do,' said Ethel lightly, deeming it best to draw out the sting of the rankling thought. 'Ay! None of them would leave him to be pitied and offered favours by some chance person,' said Leonard. 'You don't call my brother Hector a chance person?' 'Did you say anything to him, Miss May?' said Leonard, turning on her a flushed face, as if he could almost have been angered with her. 'I said not one word.' 'Nor Aubrey?' 'The volunteer politics were discussed last night, and Henry got abused among us; but papa defended him, and said it did not rain rifles. That's all--whatever Hector may have done was without a word to either of us--very likely on the moment's impulse. Did he go to Bankside after you?' 'No. I was looking in at Shearman's window,' said Leonard, rather sheepishly, 'at the locks of the new lot he has got in, and he came and asked if I were going to choose one, for he had got a couple down from London, and the man had stupidly put his cipher on both, so he would be glad if I would take one off his hands. I didn't accept--I made that clear--but then he begged, as if it was to oblige him, that I would come out to Abbotstoke