"Ess, ess, too many Cockneys for a Cornishman. But I wasn't robbed over-much. I believe I was too sharp for them."
"I'm glad of that," said the representative of cities.
"You do talk a lot of rot about London," said Jenny contemptuously. "As if you could know anything about it!"
"I found all I wanted, my dear," said Trewhella winking. He seemed in a mind to impress the foreigner.
"By carrying off Je—Mrs. Trewhella, eh?" said Castleton. "Come, after that, I don't think you ought to grumble at London."
Trewhella darted a suspicious glance as if to demand by what right this intruder dared to comment on his behavior.
The presence of a stranger at tea threw a munching silence over all the lower end of the table; but Castleton made a great impression on Granfa, who asked him a number of questions and sighed admiration for each new and surprising answer.
"But there's one thing I believe you can't tell me," said Granfa. "Or if you can, you're a marvel."
"And what is that?" inquired Castleton.
"I've asked scores of men this question," said Granfa proudly. "Hundreds, I suppose, and there wasn't one of them could give me an answer."