Roger evidently did not want to think much about his Barnes heritage.

But it was clear also that he was proud of the Trescoes; that he had fallen back upon them, so to speak.

Since the fifteenth century there had always been a Trescoe at Heston; and Roger had already taken to browsing in county histories and sorting family letters.

French foresaw a double-barrelled surname before long--perhaps, just in time for the advent of the future son and heir who was already a personage in the mind, if not yet positively expected.
"My dear fellow, I hope Mrs.Barnes will give you not one son, but many!" he said, in answer to his companion's outburst.

"They're wanted nowadays." Roger nodded and smiled, and then passed on to discussion of county business and county people.