CHAPTER XIV. THE PARTNER 



The expected telegram arrived two days later, requesting Miss Mohun to find a lodging at Rockstone sufficient to contain Sir Jasper and Lady Merrifield, and a certain amount of sons and daughters, while they considered what was to be done about Silverfold. 

'So you and I will go out house-hunting, Gillian?' said Aunt Jane, when she had opened it, and the exclamations were over. 

'I am afraid there is no house large enough up here,' said her sister. 

'No, it is an unlucky time, in the thick of the season.' 

'Victoria said she had been looking at some houses in Bellevue.' 

'I am afraid she will have raised the prices of them.' 

'But, oh, Aunt Jane, we couldn't go to Bellevue Church!' cried Gillian. 

'Your mother would like to be so near the daily services at the Kennel,' said Miss Mohun. 'Yes, we must begin with those houses. There's nothing up here but Sorrento, and I have heard enough of its deficiencies!' 

At that moment in came a basket of game, grapes, and flowers, with Lady Rotherwood's compliments. 

'Solid pudding,' muttered Miss Mohun. 'In this case, I should almost prefer empty praise. Look here, Ada, what a hamper they must have had from home! I think I shall, as I am going that way, take a pheasant and some grapes to the poor Queen of the White Ants; I believe she is really ill, and it will show that we do not want to neglect them.' 

'Oh, thank you, Aunt Jane!' cried Gillian, the colour rising in her face, and she was the willing bearer of the basket as she walked down the steps with her aunt, and along the esplanade, only pausing to review the notices of palatial, rural, and desirable villas in the house-agent's window, and to consider in what proportion their claims to perfection might be reduced. 
Why do they think it would be nice to share?
I believe she is really ill, and it will show that we do not want to neglect them