"I'll send Sara to you in an hour. She's made a cherry cake, your favorite--she shall bring you some, and make your tea."
Hugh saw an opportunity. "Shall I come with you, Uncle? You may want a clerk."
Joseph shook his head. "I shan't need you."
Augusta said: "You may want him to run errands, my dear."
Hugh said with a grin: "Or he may want to ask my advice."
Joseph did not appreciate the joke. "I shall just read the telegraph messages and decide what is to be done when the markets open again tomorrow morning."
Foolishly, Hugh persisted. "I should like to come, all the same--just out of interest."
It was always a mistake to badger Joseph. "I tell you I don't need you," he said irritably. "Drive in the park with your aunt, she needs an escort." He put his hat on his head and went out.
Augusta said: "You have a talent for needlessly annoying people, Hugh. Get your hat, I'm ready to go."
Hugh did not really want to drive with Augusta, but his uncle had commanded him to do so, and he was curious to see the Lioness, so he did not argue.
Augusta's daughter Clementine appeared, dressed to go out. Hugh had played with his cousin when they were children, and she had always been a telltale. At the age of seven she had asked Hugh to show her his doodle, and then told her mother what he had done, and Hugh had been thrashed. Now twenty years old, Clementine looked like her mother, but where Augusta was overbearing, Clementine was sly.
They all went out. The footman handed them up into the carriage. It was a new vehicle, painted bright blue and drawn by a superb pair of gray geldings--an equipage fit for the wife of a great banker. Augusta and Clementine sat facing forward, and Hugh settled himself opposite them. The top was down because of the brilliant sunshine, but the ladies opened their parasols. The coachman flicked his whip and they set off.
