The veteran soldier laughed and shook his head.
“But, uncle, every gentleman wears a veil.”
“Nonsense, Dick! somebody has been selling you.”
“Indeed, no, they were all buying veils and fastening them on to their hats.”
“Then I’ll be hanged if I make myself ridiculous by wearing a veil like a girl.”
“Well, then, you’ll get yourself blinded, deafened, stupefied and suffocated by the dust—eyes, ears, nostrils and bronchial tubes will all be filled.”
“I should like to know where the dust is to come from on such a day as this? Do you see how it is raining?”
“Don’t know, sir! only know what the fellows here tell me.”
“They are quizzing you, as I said before, that’s my opinion.”
While he spoke the door was opened and Mr. Spencer and Mr. Tredegar were announced.