[Evan Harrington by George Meredith]@TWC D-Link bookEvan Harrington CHAPTER XVI 20/25
He may be at Fallow field.
If Lady Jocelyn pleases, I will ride over to-day and see.' 'My dear Evan!' cried Rose, 'you don't mean that absurd figure we saw on the cricket-field ?' She burst out laughing.
'Oh! what fun it will be! Let us have him here by all means.' 'I shall not bring him to be laughed at,' said Evan. 'I will remember he is your friend,' Rose returned demurely; and again laughed, as she related to Jenny Graine the comic appearance Mr.Raikes had presented. Laxley waited for a pause, and then said: 'I have met this Mr.Raikes. As a friend of the family, I should protest against his admission here in any office whatever into the upper part of the house, at least.
He is not a gentleman.' We don't want teachers to be gentlemen,' observed Rose. 'This fellow is the reverse,' Laxley pronounced, and desired Harry to confirm it; but Harry took a gulp of coffee. 'Oblige me by recollecting that I have called him a friend of mine,' said Evan. Rose murmured to him: 'Pray forgive me! I forgot.' Laxley hummed something about 'taste.' Aunt Bel led from the theme by a lively anecdote. After breakfast the party broke into knots, and canvassed Laxley's behaviour to Evan, which was generally condemned.
Rose met the young men strolling on the lawn; and, with her usual bluntness, accused Laxley of wishing to insult her friend. 'I speak to him--do I not ?' said Laxley.
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