And when a rag is sent to the winds you shriek with agony at
the disruption, and think that the wound will be mortal." As Mr.
Gotobed said this he extended his right hand and laid his left on
his breast as though he were addressing the Senate from his own
chair. Morton, who had offered to entertain the gentleman for ten
days, sincerely wished that he were doing so.
On the Monday afternoon the Trefoils arrived. Mr. Morton, with his
mother and both the carriages, went down to receive them,--with a
cart also for luggage, which was fortunate, as Arabella Trefoil's
big box was very big indeed, and Lady Augustus, though she was
economical in most things, had brought a comfortable amount of
clothes. Each of them had her own lady's maid, so that the two
carriages were necessary. How it was that these ladies lived so
luxuriously was a mystery to their friends, as for some time past
they had enjoyed no particular income of their own. Lord Augustus
had spent everything that came to his hand, and the family owned no
house at all. Nevertheless Arabella Trefoil was to be seen at all
parties magnificently dressed, and never stirred anywhere without
her own maid. It would have been as grievous to her to be called on
to live without food as to go without this necessary appendage. She
was a big, fair girl whose copious hair was managed after such a
fashion that no one could guess what was her own and what was
purchased.
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