"You would be horrid to nurse!" "She will know how to be grateful when she is," said Margaret.
"I say, Richard," exclaimed Ethel, "this is hospital-meeting day, so you won't be wanted to drive papa." "No, I am at your service; do you want a walk ?" So it was determined that Richard and Ethel should walk together to Cocksmoor.
No two people could be much more unlike than Richard and Etheldred May; but they were very fond of each other.

Richard was sometimes seriously annoyed by Ethel's heedlessness, and did not always understand her sublimities, but he had a great deal of admiration for one who partook so much of his father's nature; and Ethel had a due respect for her eldest brother, gratitude and strong affection for many kindnesses, a reverence for his sterling goodness, and his exemption from her own besetting failings, only a little damped by compassionate wonder at his deficiency in talent, and by her vexation at not being always comprehended.
They went by the road, for the plantation gate was far too serious an undertaking for any one not in the highest spirits for enterprise.

On the way there was a good deal of that desultory talk, very sociable and interesting, that is apt to prevail between two people, who would never have chosen each other for companions, if they were not of the same family, but who are nevertheless very affectionate and companionable.
Ethel was anxious to hear what her brother thought of papa's spirits, and whether he talked in their drives.
"Sometimes," said Richard.

"It is just as it happens.

Now and then he goes on just like himself, and then at other times he will not speak for three or four miles." "And he sighs ?" said Ethel.