Did anybody see Loftus go? Had
he any breakfast?"
Catherine flew away to inquire of Clara, and Mabel said in an injured
voice:
"I dare say Loftie had a telegram sent to him to the club. Anyhow, he
has all the excitement and all the pleasure. I watched him through the
spy-glass last night. He was in the Bells' boat, and Beatrice was all
alone in hers. Beatrice was talking to Loftus and the boats were almost
touching. Mother, I wish we could have a boat."
"Yes, dear, I must try and manage it for you at some future time. Well,
Catherine, have you heard anything?"
"No, mother. Loftus must have gone away very, very early. No one saw him
go; he certainly had no breakfast."
Mrs. Bertram was silent for a few moments; then, suppressing a sigh, she
said, in a would-be cheerful tone:
"Well, my loves, we must enjoy our breakfasts, even without the recreant
Loftus. Mabel, my dear, what delicious raspberries! They give me quite
an appetite."
"Kitty picked them for you, mother," said Mabel. "She has been
treasuring a special bush for you for a week past."
Mrs. Bertram looked up at her eldest daughter and smiled at her. That
smile, very much treasured by Kate, was after all but a poor attempt,
gone as soon as it came. Mrs. Bertram leant back in her chair and toyed
with the dainty fruit.
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