Mr. Clark
joined the siblings for dinner that night. Eleanor seemed a little withdrawn
around him, James immediately noticed. She ate little and answered whatever
questions were put to her, but barely spoke of her own accord.
“I have a
couple people coming to visit next week, Eleanor, just so you know.”
Seeing he was trying to engage her in conversation, she
asked what was on her mind
“How do you
know them?”
“We served
overseas together.”
He saw excitement in her eyes at this
“Really?”
She was immediately hoping to gain some insight on her brother through them.
“Yeah,
one’s wife just had twins a couple months ago, so they’ll be coming as well.”
Mr. Clark made some remark on twins and statistics. To
James, it was obvious he was trying to sound impressive. The girl looked
between the two men, trying to read through the tension from Mr. Clark and the
distain or even disregard James showed to see what was going on.
“And will
they be staying long?”
“The plan
is for a week, I have some business propositions to put before them.” James
replied, setting his napkin next to his plate as an indicator that dinner was
over. “Chess, Eleanor?”
The tutor cleared his throat
“Actually,
Miss Eleanor has some geography she needs to finish up.”
James rose
“When you
have finished, Eleanor.”
“I’m afraid
Mr. Clark likes me abed before ten, James.” Eleanor replied, quite innocently,
but maintaining her observation of her brother and the tutor.
“Perhaps
another night, then.” James amended with gentle smile towards the girl “Then I’ll
bid you goodnight.”
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