“But it’s doosed bad taste, Tom, doosed bad taste, my boy; and dear me, how I do long for a glass of port.”
“Yes, and you’ll have to long, governor.”
“Yes, my boy. Seen Charley Melton lately?”
“Yes, looking as if he were going to be hung.”
“Did he though, my boy? What did you say to him?”
“Told him he was a fool.”
“Oh, Tom, my boy, you shouldn’t have done that. I hope he don’t think that I’m behaving badly to him. I’d go and see him, but her ladyship would be sure to know. Be civil to him, my boy, for my sake. His father was such an old friend.”
“Humph, don’t seem like it,” growled Tom.
“But why did you call him a fool, Tom?”
“For not making a bolt of it with Maudey.”