“I do not grudge it, Instow, if we can bring him back well. We’ll be off as soon as I can get the preliminaries settled.”
“These things don’t take long when a man has the money.”
“Hush!” said Sir John; “here he is. Don’t say anything to upset him.”
Jack came in, looking sad and dispirited.
“Ah, Jack, my boy, ready for dinner?”
“No, father.”
“Hah! chance for the doctor,” cried that gentleman merrily. “Let me administer an appetiser.”
“No, no, Doctor Instow; I’m sure it would do no good.”
“Wait till you hear what it is, O man of wisdom, and be more modest. You don’t know everything yet. Now then: prescription—take a walk as far as the kitchen door, wait till it is opened, and then take four sniffs quickly, and come back. That will give you an appetite, my boy, if you want one; but I don’t believe you do, for you have a lean and hungry look, as Shakespeare calls it. It’s the sea-air, Jack; I’m savage.”
“Some one coming,” said Sir John, and a minute later the waiter showed in the two guests.