‘Only two?’ said Mr. Rollstone. ‘I have never been without three men under me; and I always had two to wait, even when the lady dined alone.’
Mrs. Grover, who had been impressed for a moment, took courage to say—
‘I don’t think so much of your grouse, Mrs. Morton. It’s tasty and ’igh.’
‘High game goes with high families,’ wickedly murmured Herbert, causing much tittering at his corner of the table; and this grew almost convulsive, while another matron of the party observed—
‘Mrs. Macdonald, Mr. Holt’s sister in Scotland, once sent us some, and really, Mrs. Morton, if you boil them down, they are almost as good as a pat-ridge!’
‘Oh, really now, Mrs. Holt! I hope you didn’t tell Mrs. Macdonald so!’ said Mrs. Morton. ‘It is a real valuable article, such as my brother, Lord Northmoor, would only send to us, and one or two old friends that he wishes to compliment at Hurminster. But one must be used to high society to know how such things should be relished!’
‘Are Lord Northmoor’s moors extensive?’ asked Mr. Rollstone.
‘There’s about four or five miles of them,’ responded Herbert; ‘and these grouse are awfully shy.’
‘Ah, the Earl of Blackwing owns full twenty miles of heather,’ said the ex-butler.
‘Barren stuff!’ growled the skipper; ‘breeding nothing worth setting one’s teeth into!’