‘I’m not feeling very well,’ said Richard, ‘and I always take Hennessy 1875 when I’m queer, and one can’t often get it at public-houses.’
‘No, you can’t, sir.’
‘You don’t hold a retail license?’ Richard asked.
‘No, sir. I can’t sell less than a shilling’s worth, and that mustn’t be drunk on the premises. But I tell you what I can do—I’ll give you a drop. Come inside, sir.’
‘It’s awfully good of you,’ said the brazen Richard; and he went inside and had the drop.
In return he gave Mr. Puddephatt an excellent cigar. Then they began to talk.
‘I want a lodging for a night or two,’ Richard said after a time; and he explained that he had brought a motor-car up to the Queen’s Farm, and had other business in the district for his firm.
‘I can find ye a lodging,’ said Mr. Puddephatt promptly. ‘An aunt o’ mine at the other end of the village has as nice a little bedroom as ever you seed, and she’ll let you have it for a shilling a night, and glad.’
‘Could you arrange it for me?’ Richard asked.
‘I could, sir,’ said Mr. Puddephatt; and then reflectively: ‘So you’ve come up to Queen’s Farm with a motor-car. Seems there ’re always having motor-cars there.’