“Is there anything to eat, my good friend? That is what I stand most in need of just now.”
“There's a cold rib of beef, sir, and a grouse pie; but if you 'd like something hot, I 'll call the cook.”
“No, no, never mind the cook; you can give me some sherry, I 'm sure?”
“Any wine you please, sir. We have excellent Madeira, which ain't to be had everywhere nowadays.”
“Madeira be it, then; and order a fire in my room. I take it you have a room for me?”
“Yes, sir, all is ready; the bath was hot about an hour ago, and I 'll have it refreshed in a minute.”
“Now for the grouse pie. By the way, Fenton, what is the matter with his Lordship? He was n't ill, was he, when he sent off that despatch to me?”
“No, sir; he was in court to-day, and he dined at the Castle, and was in excellent spirits before he went out.”
“Has anything gone wrong, then, that he wanted me up so hurriedly?”
“Well, sir, it ain't so easy to say, his Lordship excites himself so readily; and mayhap he had words with some of the judges,—mayhap with his Excellency, for they 're always at him about resigning, little knowing that if they 'd only let him alone he 'd go of himself, but if they press him he 'll stay on these twenty years.”