“Says he’ll run down for a few days to settle that little estate business; and that it will give him an opportunity to have a few chats with Kate here. You say you like Mr Garstang, my dear?”
“Oh, yes,” said Kate, quietly; “he was always very nice and kind to me.”
“Of course, my darling; who would not be?” said Mrs Wilton.
“Claud, boy, I suppose the pheasants are getting scarce.”
“Oh, there are a few left yet,” said the young man.
“You must get up a beat and try and find a few hares, too. Uncle Garstang likes a bit of shooting. Used to see much of John Garstang, my dear, when you were at home?”
“No, uncle, not much. He used to come and dine with us sometimes, and he was always very kind to me from the time I was quite a little girl, but my father and he were never very intimate.”
“A very fine-looking man, my dear, and so handsome,” said Mrs Wilton.
“Yes, very,” said her husband, dryly; “and handsome is as handsome does.”
“Yes, my dear, of course,” said Mrs Wilton; and very little more was said till the end of the breakfast, when the lady of the house asked what time the guest would be down.