“It is quite true, Phil,” said Jenny, “the poor fellow did get into bad company at the races, but that was all.  He did not come home that night, but he was stupefied with drink and the beginning of the fever, and it was proved—­perfectly proved—­that he was fast asleep at a house at Backsworth when the robbery was committed, and he was as much shocked about it as any one—­more, I am sure, than Herbert, who was so relieved on finding him clear of it, that he troubled himself very little about the things.  And now he has had the fever—­ not very badly—­and he is quite well now, but he can’t get anything to do.  Truelove turned him off before the races for hanging about at the Three Pigeons, and nobody will employ him.  I do think it is true what they say—­his mother, and Julius, and Herbert, and all—­ that he has had a lesson, and wants to turn over a new leaf, but the people here won’t let him.  Julius and Herbert want him to enlist, and I believe he would, but his mother—­as they all do—­thinks that the last degradation; but she might listen if Captain Bowater came and told her about his own regiment—­cavalry too—­and the style of men in it—­and it is the only chance for him.”

Philip made a wry face.

“You see I took him up and let him down,” said Herbert, sadly and earnestly.

“I really do believe,” said Jenny, clenching the matter, “that Herbert would get well much faster if Harry Hornblower were off his mind.”

Phil growled, and his younger brother and sister knew that they would do their cause no good by another word.  There was an odd shyness about them all.  The elder brother had not yet said anything about Jenny’s prospects, and only asked after the party at the Hall.

“All nearly well, except Frank’s deafness,” said Jenny.  “In a day or two he is going up to London to consult an aurist, and see whether he can keep his clerkship.  Miles is going with him, and Rosamond takes Terry up to see his brother in London, and then, I believe, she is going on to get rooms at Rockpier, while Miles comes home to fetch his mother there.”

“Mrs. Poynsett!” with infinite wonder.

“Oh yes, all this has really brought out much more power of activity in her.  You know it was said that there was more damage to the nervous system than anything else, and the shock has done her good.  Besides, Miles is so much less timid about her than dear Raymond, who always handled her like a cracked teapot, and never having known much of any other woman, did not understand what was good for her.”

“Miles has more pith in him than ever poor old Raymond had,” said Phil.  “Poor old Poynsett, I used to think he wanted to be spoony on you, Joan, if he had only known his own mind.  If he had, I suppose he would have been alive now!”

“What a pleasing situation for Jenny!” Herbert could not help muttering.

“Much better than running after ostriches in the wilderness,” quoth Philip.  “You ride them double, don’t you?”