“Healed beautiful, me lord!” Chard said.
“They have, haven’t they? Chard, presently Mr. Martin will be going to Grantham. Could you find business to take you there also? In case he should see you?”
“I could, me lord, of course: nothing easier!” Chard answered, looking at him intently. “Was your lordship meaning to go there too?”
“No, in quite another direction. I am going to Evesleigh, and I wish to be very sure that Mr. Martin does not take that road.”
Chard nodded, but said: “I’m thinking it’s all of ten miles, me lord, and the grays pretty fresh.”
“I can handle them.”
“I don’t doubt it, me lord, but — you’ll take young Wickham?”
“Oh, yes!”
“Well — not that you’d ever let him take the reins!” said Chard gloomily. “If you’ll pardon the liberty, me lord, I wish you’d wait till you are a bit more robusto! ”
“ Bastante! ”said Gervase, smiling. “I must see Mr. Theo, and as long as I don’t have Mr. Martin on my heels I shall take no sort of harm, I assure you!”