“And so the little sister is grown up,” he said, embracing her, then holding her off at arm’s-length. “Five years! When I look at you, mother, they don’t seem so long — but Laura here!”

“You didn’t expect me to stay a little girl all my life, did you, David?”

“No, no.” He took her by the shoulder and shook her a little and pinched her cheeks. “What roses! Why, sis, I say, you know, I’m proud of you. What have you been up to, anyway?” He flung himself on the sofa and pulled her down beside him. “Give an account of yourself.”

“I’ve gone in for athletics.”

“Right.”