Arcturus' take on the matter of family was quite different. Those who opposed the notion of what a pureblood family ought to believe and stand for were, quite simply, no longer family. They disappeared. He understood that – it had happened to an uncle of his, some years ago, and young Arcturus had simply been instructed never to speak of the man again. Living up to everyone's expectations was important to him not only because he wanted to impress his elders.
He shook his head at the mention of another pudding to bring back with him. 'It's awfully kind of you,' he told Narcissa, 'but I really shouldn't. It's too much to ask for all at once. Perhaps when I visit again, though?' he added with another hopeful smile.
Then she invited him to stay again, and Arcturus looked down at the table, uncomfortable. He knew that his father would never approve of the idea that he was staying in a muggle boarding-house, but he was accustomed to it now, and more than that, he liked being free to do as he pleased and to go where he wanted without having to worry about constantly acting the dutiful child for his elders. There were few things that made being trapped in Preya tolerable, but that was certainly one of them. Not that he could tell Narcissa, because he knew how impolite and ungrateful it would sound. But there were other concerns.
'It's so kind of you,' he repeated, 'but as I said over that telephone network, I couldn't possibly put you to all that trouble. Cousin Cassiopeia asked me already, you know, and if I took you up on your offer she might feel hurt, especially as you have your husband with you and she is quite alone. I try to visit her often.' His brow furrowed, and he clasped his hands in his lap, tea and food momentarily forgotten. 'And...you have a very beautiful home, Miss Narcissa, but I shouldn't like to be confined here. I'm used to Everdale, where I can go for a walk in the woods when I like, or fly to the market, or take carriage-rides. Here I can't, because of all the motor-cars outside.' He had a genuine terror of all such muggle contraptions, the noise and the speed of them. 'And, well, I hate to say it in the presence of a lady, but I know that in Brightford there are muggles who go out in their undergarments in public and my father would never approve of such things.' Not to mention that it was horrendously embarrassing for Arcturus himself, who had no wish to see muggles in skimpy modern clothing.
'You mustn't fret about me,' he hurried to reassure her. 'I have my own room in Everdale, and I never even have to speak with the muggles if I don't want to. The food is decent, and they do all the chores about the house. It's a comfortable enough place.'