knows it. I dine with the dear fellow tomorrow and next day—Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—but it would never do to spoil his feast-days. He always worries about me, and moddley-coddleys in the merest trifles. The news is sure to overset him. How on earth shall this be broken to Jack!”
“He must be told, I suppose?” said Rosa.
“My dear Rosa! who ought to be in our confidence, if not Jack?”
“My guardian promised to come down, if I should write and ask him. I am going to do so. Would you like to leave it to him?”
“A bright idea!” cried Edwin. “The other trustee. Nothing more natural. He comes down, he goes to Jack, he relates what we have agreed upon, and he states our case better than we could. He has already spoken feelingly to you, he has already spoken feelingly to me, and he’ll put the whole thing feelingly to Jack. That’s it! I am not a coward, Rosa, but to tell you a secret, I am a little afraid of Jack.”