“And half my aneurism!—Are you hungry, my lord?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I hear Edouard on the stairs, coming up to tell us that breakfast is ready.”
As Roland spoke, the door opened and the boy burst out: “Big brother Roland, mother and sister Amélie are waiting breakfast for Sir John and you.”
Then catching the Englishman’s right hand, he carefully examined the first joint of the thumb and forefinger.
“What are you looking at, my little friend?” asked Sir John.
“I was looking to see if you had any ink on your fingers.”
“And if I had ink on my fingers, what would it mean?”
“That you had written to England, and sent for my pistols and sword.”
“No, I have not yet written,” said Sir John; “but I will to-day.”