Even his father's offer to take him abroad for a few weeks did not tempt him.
Raby herself made the final appeal the day before they started.
"Percy, dear, won't you come for my sake ?" said she.
"If I came for anybody I would for you," replied he, "but I can't." "But I had so looked forward to you seeing father." "I'll see him as soon as he gets to town." "It will spoil my pleasure so much," said she.

"I shall be miserable thinking of you." "You're an awful brick, Raby; but don't bother about me.

You'd all be ever so much more miserable if I came, and so should I." "But what good can it do ?" pleaded his cousin.
"I don't know--he might turn up.

I might find him after all.

If it hadn't been for your father coming, Raby--I'd have begged you to stay too.