She had discovered new ways of doing her hair; at present it was braided on either side of the forehead--a style which gave almost a thoughtful air to her face.
When her brother entered she was eating a piece of sponge-cake, which she held to her lips with peculiar delicacy, as if rehearsing graces.
'Why, there now!' cried Mrs.Mutimer, pleased to see her son.

'If I wasn't saying not five minutes ago as Dick was likely to come some day in the week! Wasn't I, Alice?
What'll you have for your tea?
There's some chops all ready in the 'ouse, if you'd care for them.' Richard was not in a cheerful mood.

He made no reply immediately, but went and stood before the fireplace, as he had been accustomed to do in the old kitchen.
'Will you have a chop ?' repeated his mother.
'No; I won't eat just yet.

But you can give me a cup of tea.' Mrs.Mutimer and Alice exchanged a glance, as the former bent over the teapot.

Richard was regarding his brother askance, and it resulted in a question, rather sharply put-- 'Have you been to work to-day ?' 'Arry would have lied had he dared; as it was, he made his plate revolve, and murmured, 'No; he 'adn't.' 'Why not ?' 'I didn't feel well,' replied the youth, struggling for self-confidence and doing his best to put on an air of patient suffering.
Richard tapped his tea-cup and looked the look of one who reserves discussion for a more seasonable time.
'Daniel called last night,' remarked Mrs.Mutimer.