"Surely you shouldn't have left the house to-day," Richard said, alarmed.
"Why not?" The retort was almost fierce.
"You're not fit."
"Fiddlesticks! I've only got a bit of a cough."
Richard wondered what he had called for.
Jenkins began to discuss with him the shortcomings of Mr. Smythe as an employer, and when that fruitful subject had been exhausted there was a silence.
"Coming home?" Mr. Aked asked Richard, who at once prepared to leave.
"By the way, Larch, how's the mash?" Jenkins wore his archest manner.
"What mash?"