'Yes, I don't mind,' said Hadrian.
The sisters went down to the kitchen, and sent the servant to finish the
stairs.
'Isn't he _altered_?' said Matilda, _sotto voce_.
'Isn't he!' said Cousin Emmie. '_What_ a little man!'
They both made a grimace, and laughed nervously.
'Get the frying-pan,' said Emmie to Matilda.
'But he's as cocky as ever,' said Matilda, narrowing her eyes and shaking
her head knowingly, as she handed the frying-pan.
'Mannie!' said Emmie sarcastically. Hadrian's new-fledged, cock-sure
manliness evidently found no favour in her eyes.
'Oh, he's not bad,' said Matilda. 'You don't want to be prejudiced
against him.'
I'm not prejudiced against him, I think he's all right for looks,' said
Emmie, 'but there's too much of the little mannie about him.'
'Fancy catching us like this,' said Matilda.
'They've no thought for anything,' said Emmie with contempt. 'You go up
and get dressed, our Matilda. I don't care about him. I can see to
things, and you can talk to him. I shan't.'
'He'll talk to my father,' said Matilda, meaningful.
'_Sly--!_' exclaimed Emmie, with a grimace.
The sisters believed that Hadrian had come hoping to get something out of
their father--hoping for a legacy. And they were not at all sure he would
not get it.
Matilda went upstairs to change. She had thought it all out how she would
receive Hadrian, and impress him.
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