A Red Red Rose Author:Katharine Tynan Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3" He couldn't do ten miles to save his life," said Tom. "As if anyone would expect him to—or hear of his doing such a thing. Do see how he touches his hat! I should like to put him in a... more » glass case, powder and all." The carriage was proceeding slowly and majestically now over level roads, where one caught sight through the palings of wide park- lands, with herds of deer and little red cattle grazing in the sheltering of many a spreading oak. " Just imagine," whispered Amelia, with the same rapt air. "We have two dukes for our neighbours, and the only untitled landowner within ten miles is the richest commoner in England. Not that we care about money, do we, dear ? " " Nor about titles," said Tom, sturdily. " I shan't mind for my own part if the dukes don't call. Or is it the duchesses that call? I'm rather hazy about these matters." " The first thing you will have to do is to join the Hunt," said Amelia, seriously, "and pay a handsome subscription to it. Then there will be the parson wanting his church tower, Perpendicular Gothic or something of the sort, restored, and you'll plank down for that. Then there will be a ball for the County Hospital, and the duchesses will be Lady Patronesses,and, of course, you'll take tickets and send a good-looking cheque for that." " Don't let us overdo it, Em, dear," said her brother, interrupting her. " We don't want to buy our toleration among these people." " Only our entrance," his sister assured him, lightly. "Afterwards, our toleration will be all right. If I were only as sure of the St. Denises' old housekeeper! And all those pokery maids. And the silk-stockinged footmen. To say nothing of the chairs and tables, and the tapestry that has been there since 1121." " I don't suppose these people will really take service with us at all. I rather wi...« less