E. F. Benson

“ I dare say he is a most agreeable man, but it will never be dear old Hatchings Castle to me again. My dear Lady Hatchings is still alive, but I despair of seeing her any more in the old home. Tempora mutantur, as Mr. Coplestone says in his Latin. Yes, and here is the station for the Castle—Castle Halt, as it is called. We seldom went by train. ”

“ Coplestone always tells me that I am quite a Sherlock Holmes, and that I know who everybody is, and what he has done, the moment I set eyes on him. I am convinced that our travelling companion was the French lady's maid. That is why she travelled second-class. Those maids are so high in their notions. But second-class is quite good enough for me, and if a lady's maid does sit opposite me, she is quite well behaved, and I have no quarrel with her. My dear Lady Hatchings always had a carriage reserved for her, and no wonder, even on the shortest journeys. My sweet Mabel! ”

“ It would be awful for her if in front of my very face you gave her a vacant look."
"It's all your fault for travelling second-class," said Mabel Hatchings. "And I won't promise to be cordial. She's a pushing, swaggering thing, this Mrs. Coplestone of yours. She deserves a vacant look. A carriage to meet her, indeed, for her picnics and luncheon parties and dinner parties!"
"Oh, Cousin Mabel, do be amiable! Besides, if you will be cordial and affectionate, and talk about old times, she will understand very well. There will be an irony about it. ”