Lord Biddenden stirred impatiently. “Oh, play off no airs for our benefit!” he begged. “It is as plain as a pikestaff why he is here!”
“I hesitate to contradict you, George, but I am far more inclined to suppose that Freddy does not know for what purpose he was invited here.”
Mr. Standen, who had turned to observe himself in the spotted mirror over the fireplace, discovered that his neckcloth needed an infinitesimal adjustment. Until this delicate operation had been performed, it was plainly useless to address questions to him. Hugh tapped his foot against the floor, his lip curling disdainfully; and Biddenden, who had himself a great inclination towards dandyism, watched with reluctant appreciation the deft straightening of a cravat which had roused his admiration at the outset. He held the poorest opinion of his cousin Freddy’s mental ability, but he always took covert note of any new fashion Freddy adopted, and very often copied it; and he would not for an instant have denied that Freddy’s rulings on such matters were worthy of respect. “Schultz make that coat?” he asked.
“Weston, George: never let another snyder cut my coats! Mind, if I wanted sporting toggery—”
“You have not yet answered my question!” interrupted Hugh. “What has brought you here?”
“Hired chaise,” said Freddy. “Thought of driving myself down, but too far for the tits. Bad weather, too.”
“I shall not gratify you by explaining my meaning,” said Hugh contemptuously. “You know quite well what it is.”
“I came in my own carriage,” offered Lord Dolphinton. “We changed horses twice, and I had a hot brick to keep my feet warm, and a shawl round my shoulders. I shall have another hot brick put in the carriage when I go back. I shall tell Stobhill to attend to it. My mother said that was what I should do, and I shall do it. Stobhill will know how to set about it.”
“I imagine the task need not strain his powers unduly!” said Biddenden snappishly.
“Some people,” said Dolphinton, “don’t heat the bricks right through.” He thought for a moment, and added: “Some people heat ’em too much.”