“There 's the coffee. Will you have eggs?”
“Yes, and a rasher along with them. You can afford to be liberal with the larder, mother, for I bring you an invitation to dine.”
“At the Priory?”
“Yes; he said seven o'clock.”
“Who dines there?”
“Himself and his granddaughter and I make the company, I believe.”
“Then I shall not go. I never do go when there 's not a party.”
“He's safer, I suppose, before people?”
“Just so. I could not trust to his temper under the temptation of a family circle. But what Drought you to town?”
“He sent for me by telegraph; just, too, when I had the whole county with me, and was booked to ride a match I had made with immense trouble. I got his message,—'Come up immediately.' There was not the slightest reason for haste, nor for the telegraph at all. The whole could have been done by letter, and replied to at leisure, besides—”