"
And so Isobel wrote. She was in the habit of writing once every
half year to her uncle, who had told her that he wished her to do
so, and that people out abroad had great pleasure in letters from
England. Hitherto she had only written about her school life, and
this letter caused her a great deal of trouble.
It answered its purpose. Captain Hannay had no liking either for
his sister in law or his eldest niece, and had, when he was with
them, been struck with the neglect with which the little boy was
treated. Isobel had taken great pains not to say anything that
would show she considered that Robert was harshly treated; but had
simply said that she heard there were schools where little boys
like him could be taught, and that it would be such a great thing
for him, as it was very dull for him having nothing to do all day.
But Captain Hannay read through the lines, and felt that it was
a protest against her brother's treatment, and that she would not
have written to him had she not felt that so only would anything
be done for him. Accordingly he wrote home to his sister in law,
saying he thought it was quite time now that the boy should be
placed with some gentleman who took a few lads unfitted for the
rough life of an ordinary school. He should take the charges upon
himself, and had written to his agent in London to find out such
an establishment, to make arrangements for Robert to go there, and
to send down one of his clerks to take charge of him on the journey.
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