This country bumpkin would belong to Tom's, reflected John savagely, for no reason at all. Aloud he said:
"I think it extremely unlikely, sir. I have been abroad some years."
"Oh, indeed, sir? The 'grand tour,' I suppose?"
Mr. Bettison's tone was not the tone of one who supposes any such thing.
John smiled.
"Not this time," he said, "that was seven years ago."
Mr. Bettison had heard rumours of this fellow who, it was murmured, was nought but a common highwayman.
"Really? After Cambridge, perhaps?"
"Oxford," corrected Carstares gently.
Curse his audacity! thought Mr. Bettison.