Not so bad, is it?
Rosalind thinks she's no end of an artist, but I--" "When did he die ?" inquired Mr Ratman, still examining the picture.
"Oh, ever so long ago--before the old Squire married Auntie.

I say, come and have a punt about with my new football, will you ?" "Go and get it.

I'll be down presently.

I like pictures, and shall just take a look at these first!" Tom bustled off, wondering what Mr Ratman could see in the pictures to allure him from the joys of football.
To tell the truth, Mr Ratman was not a great artist.

But the portrait of the lost Roger appeared to interest him, as did also the sight of an open letter, hastily laid down by the owner on the writing-table.
Something in the handwriting of the letter particularly aroused the curiosity of the trespasser, who, being, as has been said, of an inquiring disposition, ventured to look at it more closely.
"_To be given unopened into the hands of Roger Ingleton, junior, on his twentieth birthday_." The coast was conveniently clear for Mr Ratman, as, fired with a zeal for information, he slipped the letter from the envelope and, with half an eye on the door, hastily read it.