CHAPTER XVII.
"On s'ennuie presque toujours avec ceux qu'on ennuie." Hester did not fail a second time to warn the Gresleys of the arrival of guests.

She mentioned it in time to allow of the making of cakes, and Mr.Gresley graciously signified his intention of returning early from his parochial rounds on the afternoon when Dick and Rachel were expected, while Mrs.Gresley announced that the occasion was a propitious one for inviting the Pratts to tea.
"Miss West will like to meet them," she remarked to Hester, whose jaw dropped at the name of Pratt.

"And it is very likely if they take a fancy to her they will ask her to stay at the Towers while she is in the neighborhood.

If the captain is at home I will ask him to come too.

The Pratts are always so pleasant and hospitable." Hester was momentarily disconcerted at the magnitude of the social effort which Rachel's coming seemed to entail.