“Confound it all, sir!” said the General—“I beg pardon, I beg pardon.”
During the last few minutes the wheels of a carriage had been heard on the gravel drive, and the dog-cart had been driven aside. Then the big bell had clanged, and all had been silent again. For the moment, I had wondered whether it was a parish constable come for us, but the next I had forgotten all about it, till one of the maids entered, with a couple of cards on a tray, which she went round and handed to the Doctor.
“Bless me!” he exclaimed, flushing, as the General made an impatient gesture, and relieved his feelings by shaking his fist at us both, while Bob Hopley began to smooth the ferret with his great brown, hairy hand.
“Well, sir?” said the General.
“Excuse me,” said the Doctor. “A most curious coincidence. Two visitors.”
“No, sir, no visitors now; business, if you please. Those two boys—”
“Excuse me,” said the Doctor blandly. “The two visitors are the relatives of one of these boys.”
Mercer gave quite a start, and I pitied him.
Poor Tom’s father and mother, I said mentally, and then I gave a start too, for the General said fiercely,—
“By George! then they couldn’t have come better. Show them in, and I’ll have a word or two with the boy’s father.”