Therefore his strong family pride accepted them, and made the most of them.
But his countenance fell when, as the train slowed into the railway station, he perceived beckoning to him from the windows, not two Fallodens, but four! "What has mother been about ?" He stood aghast.

For there were not only Lady Laura and Nelly, but Trix, a child of eleven, and Roger, the Winchester boy of fourteen, who was still at home after an attack of measles.
They beamed at him as they descended.

The children were quite aware they were superfluous, and fell upon him with glee.
"You don't want us, Duggy, we know! But we made mother bring us." "Mother, really you ought to have given me notice!" said her reproachful son.

"What am I to do with these brats ?" But the brats hung upon him, and his mother, "fat, fair and forty," smiled propitiatingly.
"Oh, my dear Duggy, never mind.

They amuse themselves.