"You spend it very sensibly out of doors," Arranmore remarked. "How did you get here?"
"I cycled," Brooks answered. "It was very pleasant, but muddy."
"What will you have?" Lord Arranmore asked. "Some wine and biscuits, or something of that sort?"
His hand was upon the bell, but Brooks stopped him.
"Nothing at all, thank you, just now."
"Luncheon will be served in half-an-hour," the Marquis said. "You will prefer to wait until then?"
"I am much obliged to you," Brooks answered, "but I must be getting back to Medchester as soon as possible. Besides," he added, with a smile, "I am afraid when I have spoken of the object of my visit you may feel inclined to kick me out."
"I hope not," Arranmore replied, lightly. "I was hoping that your visit had no object at all, and that you had been good enough just to look me up.
"I should not have intruded without a purpose," Brooks said, quietly, "but you will be almost justified in treating my visit as an impertinence when I have disclosed my errand. Lord Arranmore, I am the secretary for the fund which is being raised in Medchester for the relief of the Unemployed."
Arranmore nodded.