WHITEOAK HERITAGE

14Whiteoak Heritage“Do what you think best and don’t talk like a fool!”“It’s true and you know it. Well, I’ll see you later. Lord, how thoseboys have grown.”“Haven’t they! The car will be packed. Will you take Wragge withyou? I’ll send for him when we get home.”“Righto.” Maurice turned away, the lightness of his tone contrastingwith his look of hurt. The Cockney, Wragge, followed him, his shrewdeyes having absorbed the strangeness of the meeting. He threw all hecould of devotion into the parting glance he gave Renny Whiteoak. Hehad been his batman in the War and now his look said — “Whatever’appens you can count on me, sir.”Renny rejoined his family. Meg had conquered her agitation andtaking his arm drew him toward the three young brothers eagerly waitingto greet him. He kissed each in turn.They had so developed since he had last seen them that it required aneffort of will to place each in the cherished niche where he belonged. Itwas hard to tell which had changed most. He grinned, almost in embarrassment,as he looked into their three faces.If it was a matter of mere growth Piers had it, he decided. Froma sturdy little boy of less than eleven he had grown to a strappingyouth of almost fifteen, with broad shoulders and head well set on astrong neck. His full blue eyes were bold and there was a look abouthis mouth that hinted that he would not be too eager to do what hewas bid. And his hands — well, they looked ready for anything —muscular, brown, vigorous.But could he give the palm to Piers with Eden standing there, almostas tall as himself? He had last seen Eden as a slender, fair boy of fourteenand here he was a man and almost too good-looking for he was like hispoor mother who, if she had not been so delicate, would have been beautiful.Of the three young brothers Eden gave Renny the most eager, thewarmest welcome, gripping his hand, looking into his eyes with a swift,penetrating glance.Finch had changed the least; but even he was grown almost out ofrecognition. His hand lay small and thin in Renny’s. His teeth looked bigand new between his parted lips.