“Pish,” said Lord Frederic, “Charley Ploversdale is mild as a dove.”
“Suit yourself,” said Mr. Carteret. “I’ll make it Thursday. One more question,” he added. “How many shall I ask him to bring down?” At this moment the Major came into the room again. He had mislaid his eyeglasses.
“I should think that a dozen would be about the right number,” said Lord Frederic, replying to Mr. Carteret. “It would be very imposing.”
“Too many!” said the Major. “We must mount them on good horses and I don’t want my entire stable ruined by men who have never lepped a fence.”
“I think the Major is right about the matter of numbers,” said Mr. Carteret. “How would three do?”
“Make it three,” said the Major.
Before dinner was over a reply came from Grady saying that he and three bucks would be pleased to arrive Thursday morning prepared for a hunting party.
This took place on Monday, and at various times during Tuesday and Wednesday Mr. Carteret gave the subject thought. By Thursday morning his views had ripened. He ordered his tea and eggs to be served in his room and came down a little past ten dressed in knickerbockers and an old shooting coat. He wandered into the dining-room and found Mrs. Ascott-Smith sitting by the fire entertaining Lord Frederic, as he went to and from the sideboard in search of things to eat.
“Good morning,” said Mr. Carteret, hoarsely.
Lord Frederic looked around and as he noticed Mr. Carteret’s clothes his face showed surprise.