Clover was not at all reluctant to
see her daughter and this young man amiably conversing. Mr. Nelson
had something not unlike the carriage and tone of a gentleman; he
talked quietly, though light-heartedly, and from remarks he let fall
it appeared that he was somehow connected with the decorative arts.
Minnie and he dropped into a discussion of some new ceramic design
put forth by Doulton's; they seemed to understand each other, and
grew more animated as they exchanged opinions. The hostess,
meanwhile, kept glancing at them with a smile of benevolence.
At the tea table Mr. Nelson gratified Mr. Sparkes by an allusion to
almost the only topic--apart from Chaffey's--which could draw that
grave man into continuous speech. Mr. Sparkes had but one
recreation, that of angling; for many years he had devoted such
hours of summer leisure as Chaffey's granted him to piscatory
excursions, were it only as far as the Welsh Harp. Finding this
young man disposed to lend a respectful ear, and to venture
intelligent questions, he was presently discoursing at large.
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