Hal shook his head.
"You couldn't get Tuppy to do it. No, governor, you'll have to think of some other plan."
"We can't hold a function here," mused Sir Harry, "it wouldn't have the same effect. The county are hardly likely to be impressed by Lord Tupping."
"And any way the county wouldn't come," said the practical Hal, "I hardly know—by jove!" he exclaimed suddenly, "what about the Terrills?"
"The Terrills."
"Yes—hang it all, they're our relations. You know they owe us something; splendid! If we can only persuade Aunt Agatha to do it, what a smack in the eye for the Duke!"
"I'm afraid," began Sir Harry dubiously.
"Rot, governor! try 'em—butter the old lady—wantin' to show a little hospitality to a friend—get mother to write—dash it all! it's a magnificent idea. You'll get the Duke creature tearin' his hair——"
Hal persuaded his father to write.
It was when the letter carefully worded, and punctiliously punctuated had been written, that Hal started in to gratify his private curiosity.