“Well, sir, you see it was this way,” began the good woman with some slight embarrassment.
“That’s all right,” interrupted Wagram genially. “Well, you’ll know it next time, I’m sure.”
“That I shall, sir.”
After a little more pleasant conversation they shook hands heartily with the worthy couple and took their leave.
Just before the dressing-bell rang Haldane burst in upon Wagram in a wholly unwonted state of excitement.
“What’s this my little girl has been telling me, Wagram?” he said. “I must go and kill the scoundrel at once. I’ll borrow the Squire’s biggest hunting-crop.”
“You can’t, Haldane, if only that we haven’t the remotest idea who the said scoundrel is. It’s probably some miserable counter-jumper doing a bike round. But, sit tight; he’s got enough to last him for many a long day.”
“Did you cut him to ribbons? Did you?”
“I cut his small-clothes to ribbons. By George, he’ll have to launch out in a new biking suit. No; great as the offence was, even I think he got something like adequate compensation for it,” added Wagram grimly, as he called to mind the fellow’s insults—and their object.
And with this assurance Haldane had perforce to remain satisfied.