"Dear me!" he said. "Yet this work - it is Disraeli's Curiosities of Literature -you would find well worth the — ah - labour of reading. But I did not come to talk about books. I must not waste your time."
Fountain murmured a polite disclaimer but made no attempt to dissuade Sir Humphrey from coming to his business. At the end of twenty minutes' earnest conversation he promised that he would speak to his keeper. It was pointed out to him that some suspicious-looking men had been seen on his estate; Sir Humphrey felt that it was the duty of every landowner to stamp out this poaching menace and was sure that Fountain would agree with him.
Fountain was ready to agree with anything. Certainly poachers must be got rid of; he would have a word with Hitchcock.
Felicity, perceiving his scarce-veiled impatience, got up and said that if they did not go they would not have time to visit Upper Nettlefold before lunch. Sir Humphrey said, to be sure they were encroaching upon Fountain's time; he would rely on him to see that something was done.
He shook hands and was about to go when the door opened softly and Collins came in.
The valet stopped and said at once: "I beg pardon, sir. I thought you were alone."
"That's all right; since you're here you can show Sir Humphrey and Miss Matthews out," said Fountain. "Goodbye, sir; I'll see about it at once. Sure you won't take the other volumes? Well, don't hesitate to borrow any book you happen to want. Only too glad!"
The valet's eyes rested for a moment on the volume Sir Humphrey carried. Then he looked quickly towards the bookshelves. Some quiver of emotion flickered in his face. He said: "Should I wrap the book up for you, sir?"
"No, thank you, I prefer it as it is," replied Sir Humphrey, going towards the door.
"I fear it may be very dusty, sir. Shall I wipe it for you?"