did,Reggie affirmed, giving him another pat. You could get lost in abook.Theres aserial Ive been following for years and years, and now Martinreads it to me and does voices for all the characters.Oh, my. Is he anactor, then? Reggie looked up at Martin again. Are you athespian, young man?Martin soundedflustered, perhaps surprised to be addressed. Oh, no, Sir. I onlylike to read aloud.What else do youenjoy, darling? Are you artistic like your cousin?Henry shook hishead. I dont have talents like Jesse.You have talentsof your own, Reggie said with confidence, though Henry wasntsure he was right. You were always such a graceful child, sowell-coordinated. Watching you play was like watching a ballet.Henry thought thiswas surely an exaggeration. Well, Im still good at...physicalstuff, I guess. Sports and dancing.Wilton men areall good dancers. Reggie offered this up as if it were anindisputable fact.We like to goriding, Henry noted. None of my friends much care for it, andLouis is afraid of horses, but Martin loves to ride.Reggie offeredMartin another smile. You chose well, then, darling.We play poker allthe time, too. Im pretty terrible at it, actually. Martin almostalways wins, but its just fun to play anyway.As I recall, youwere never terribly interested in winning, Reggie said. Youwere a generous, fair-minded little boy, and I think you must be asweet, giving young man.Henry blushed. Oh,I dont know.Reggie turned to hissister. Louisa, what do you think?Oh! Henrysmother had not expected to be put on the spot and seemed slightlypanicked. Oh, well, Im sure youre right, Reggie.Truthfully, Henry didnt think she knew the first thing about him,and he felt embarrassed for both of them; he didnt want Reggie toknow how terrible theyd become without him around.Reggie gave Mother astern look but said nothing; still, it seemed he had some inklingthat things were not exactly right between Henry and Mother.The Wilton slavescame around offering coffee and tea, and Henry took coffee withcream, which Martin prepared for him. Reggie and Mother both tooktea, and Henry accepted a plate of ginger cookies.Reggie sipped histea fastidiously, pinky extended. What about school? Do you getgood grades?I get As inmath, Henry told him. Im average in other subjects, Iguess. He decided to omit any mention of Latin.Oh, thatsgood, darling. I havent a head for numbers at all. Thatswhy I could never make a go of any business. He sighed and letMother take his hand in sympathy for his failures. What about asweetheart?Henry shook his headadamantly. Im not interested in girls, he said firmly,wanting this to seem significant to Reggie, but his uncle heard theinformation impassively and did not question him further in thisregard.You seem veryfond of each other, Reggie remarked, giving Martin a nod. Theresan ease between you. Are you benefitting from ownership, do youthink, darling? I mean, are you learning the lessons youre meantto learn? Its such a tumultuous time in a boys life.Uh... Henryscrambled for something to say. Hed learned everything, butnothing he could talk about. Well, having Martin around has mademe a better person, I think. Im definitely a better brother than Iwas before.Reggies browwrinkled, quizzical. How is that, darling?Martin is goodwith