“No, I’m not going away, but I have to go out this evening. You needn’t look so scared, you silly little noddy! Mr. Lydd is coming to mind the gate, so you won’t be alone.”
“You’re going to tip the double!” Ben said, his face sharp with suspicion. “Don’t go, gov’nor, don’t go! You said you wouldn’t leave me, not till me dad comes back!”
“Listen, Ben! Whatever happens, I shan’t go away without telling you! You’ll find me here when you wake up in the morning: that’s a promise! Mr. Lydd will stay here till I come back. Now, you wash all that dirt off your face and hands, and set the plates out!”
Ben, whose experience had not taught him to place any degree of reliance on the promises of his elders, burst into tears, and reiterated his conviction that he was to be left to his fate.
“Good God!” exclaimed John, setting the frying-pan down in the hearth. “Come here, you wretched little goosecap!” He picked up a candle, took Ben by the ear, and led him to Brean’s bedroom. “Does that look as though I meant to run away?”
Ben stopped knuckling his eyes. When he had assimilated the fact that the Captain’s ivory brushes still graced the chest of drawers, together with his shaving-tackle, and the knife he used for paring his nails, he became very much more cheerful; and by the time Joseph Lydd arrived at the tollhouse, soon after eight o’clock, he was able to greet him with perfect equanimity.
Lydd, who was riding the cob, slid from the saddle, and winked broadly at the Captain. “You’re looked for, sir,” he said. “Pretty bobbish he is—considering!”
“Bring the cob round the back, to the shed, then,” John said. “Beau’s there. I must saddle-up.”
“Begging your pardon, gov’nor, that’s my trade! Come on, booberkin! You show me this big prancer I’ve heard so much about!”
Half an hour later, Captain Staple trod up the path which led from the stables at Kellands to the eastern wing of the house. As he approached it, a door was opened, and lamplight showed him the silhouette of a man, who stood aside, and bowed, saying, in a quiet, precise voice: “Good-evening, sir. Will you be pleased to step this way?”