Just then Mrs Milt entered with the coffee, toast, and a covered dish, a second cup and saucer being on her tray.
“Well, yes; I’ll have another cup,” said Salis, smiling and nodding; and, directly after, the old friends were seated together opposite to each other, but with North leaving his breakfast untasted, while Salis seemed to enjoy his number two.
“You’re not eating, old fellow! I say, you know you’re ill. It’s my turn now to prescribe.”
“Only a little feverish. I have been and had a long walk.”
“Ah, that’s right. Nature is splendid for that sort of thing.”
“Yes,” said North quickly. “Now, what can I do for you?”
He winced as he spoke, for he expected to hear something about Leo.
“Well, the fact is, old fellow, you know that my surplice was stolen.”
North shrank again, but nodded sharply.
“Well, old fellow, I banteringly said something about the loss being severe to a poor man.”