“Wonder whether this chap will turn up, Clayton? Try another advertisement if he don’t. I wouldn’t have lost that dog for twenty pounds.”
“And I would give twenty pounds sooner than keep the ugly wretch,” said Harry.
“Perhaps so; but then you see you can’t appreciate breed. Don’t be cross, old chap,” he continued, laughing. “You must be bear-leader, and lick me into shape.”
Harry shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.
“There! turn up the gas a little higher, Harry; and do, for goodness’ sake, give up that confounded French shrug; and, I say, Hal, if this cad does come, leave me to manage him. His won’t be a classic tongue, old fellow, and I know how to deal with these fellows so much better than you. By Jove, though, here he is! Come in!”
For there had been another knock at the door, and the maid once more appeared.
“Plee, sir, there’s a man down-stairs, as says he have an appointment with you, sir. Is he to come up?”
“Yes; send him up, Mary; that is, if he’s fit.”
“Fit, sir?” said the girl, looking puzzled.
“Yes; clean—decent,” said Lionel, laughing, and the girl withdrew.