"He wants," observed Job stolidly, "a bed for to-night and summat to eat; sir, you can have 'em both."
"Right you are," replied the doctor cheerfully. "Get something ready at once and show me to a bedroom. I want to wash my hands."
"He wants," repeated Kossiter mechanically, "to wash his hands. Margery!"
In answer to this call, a bright, brisk-looking young woman, in a neat print gown, stepped forward and confronted Nestley.
"He wants," said Job looking from Margery to Nestley, "a bed, summat to eat, a room and a wash;" then, having given all the requisite information he rolled slowly away to attend to the wants of the rustics in the taproom, while, Margery in a voice as sharp as her appearance, invited Nestley to follow her to his room.
"Lor, sir," she said shrilly, tripping lightly up the stairs, "if I'd only knowed as you was comin', I'd have got things a bit straight, but father never does tell, father don't."
"He didn't know I was coming," replied Nestley as he entered the bedroom and took off his knapsack. "I'm a bird of passage--bring me some hot water."
"Yes, sir," replied Margery, pausing with her hand on the handle of the door, "and anything to eat, sir?"
"Of course--cold beef, pickles--whatever there is. I'm too hungry to be dainty."
"You won't have supper with the other gentleman, sir, will you?" asked Margery, "Mr. Beaumont, sir."