The Honourable John Ruffin showed no surprise; he only said:
"Ah, he must be wanting me to do something for him. I told you that he would warm to me when he did."
"Yes, sir. But, please sir, he doesn't look very warm yet," said Pollyooly doubtfully.
"He never does. It runs in the family—the Osterley chill. Bring us some tea," said the Honourable John Ruffin lightly; and he went down the passage.
He came into the sitting-room briskly, and found the duke sitting in an easy chair, with his silk hat thrust well back on his head, in a fashion which gave him a far from ducal, an even raffish air.
"How are you, Ruffin?" he said, with an amiable smile, but in a somewhat nervous and deprecatory tone.
"How are you, Osterley? Got over the sulks?" said the Honourable John Ruffin lightly.
"Sulks? I never sulk!" said the duke with some heat.
"What do you call them then?" said the Honourable John Ruffin with a good display of the liveliest most unaffected interest.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" said the duke coldly; but he flushed.