Eugene explained to his host that Lucy had gone away to
visit a school-friend.
The information, delivered in the library, just before old Sam's
appearance to announce dinner, set Miss Minafer in quite a flutter.
"Why, George!" she said, turning to her nephew. "How does it happen
you didn't tell us?" And with both hands opening, as if to express
her innocence of some conspiracy, she exclaimed to the others, "He's
never said one word to us about Lucy's planning to go away!"
"Probably afraid to," the Major suggested. "Didn't know but he might
break down and cry if he tried to speak of it!" He clapped his
grandson on the shoulder, inquiring jocularly, "That it, Georgie?"
Georgie made no reply, but he was red enough to justify the Major's
developing a chuckle into laughter; though Miss Fanny, observing her
nephew keenly, got an impression that this fiery blush was in truth
more fiery than tender. She caught a glint in his eye less like
confusion than resentment, and saw a dilation of his nostrils which
might have indicated not so much a sweet agitation as an inaudible
snort.
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