'Take it all away, then, and bid my man send me my pelisse. That I made to cross the Alps in.'
'I am very sorry, indeed, nephew,' said Sir Hugh, 'that we were not better prepared for your being so chilly, owing to the weather being set in so sultry, that we none of us much thought of having a fire; and, indeed, in my young time, we were never allowed thinking of such things before Michaelmas-day; which I suppose is quite behind-hand now. Pray, nephew, if it is not too much trouble to you, what's the day for lighting fires in foreign parts?'
'There's no rule of that sort, now, sir, in modern philosophy; that kind of thing's completely out; entirely exploded, I give you my word.'
'Well, every thing's new, Lord help me, since I was born! But pray, nephew, if I may ask, without tiring you too much, on account of my ignorance, have they fires in summer as well as winter there?'
'Do you imagine there are grates and fires on the Continent, sir, the same as in England? ha! ha!'
Sir Hugh was discountenanced from any further inquiry.
Another silence ensued, broken again by a vehement ringing of the bell.
When the servant appeared, 'What have you got,' cried Lynmere, 'that you can bring me to eat?'
'Eat, nephew! why you would not eat before supper, when here's nobody done tea? not that I'd have you baulk your appetite, which, to be sure, ought to be the best judge.'
The youth ordered some oysters.