All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR. 249
Of course the fiction of glor}^ was still
maintained.
' A clear liead and a sagacious eye,' said
Sir Charles. ' Tlic youug man ^vill be a
credit to us, no doubt. I hope, Massey, for
your sake, tliat he may rival any of us—any
of us.'
'lie certainly ^vill,' said ]\Lr. Colliber,
grimly, 'if he takes uj) \\\\\\ any of his father's
projects.'
!N[r. Massey ^vas not offended, because he
believed in his projects. ' The boy might do
worse,' lie said, ' he might do worse.'
It was somewhere about this time, too, that
Claire became conscious of a change in the be-
haviour of tlie young men. The old camarad-
erie disappeared ; they no longer treated her
quite as an ecpial ; little by little they began to
observe a respect and deference towards her
quite unknown in the old days. Olii.thus re-
sumed his visits and even brought gifts. Allen
seemed to think that iier opinion was worth
askimr on the only subjects he cared to talk