'Yes, my lord,' replied the butler, who had carried 'Master Lennard' in his arms as a baby.
'Such a rich flavour it has, and just glance at the colour.'
Hammersley affected to do so, but his eyes were bent on the face of Finella.
'I hope you won't find Craigengowan dull, but every place is so after London.'
'True, we live so fast there that we never seem to have time to do anything.'
And now, understanding that Shafto was to be his chief companion at the covies on the morrow, Hammersley talked to him of hammerless guns, of central fire, of the mode of breaking in dogs, training setters, and so forth; and as these subjects had not been included in Shafto's education at Lawyer Carlyon's office, he almost yawned as he listened with irritation to what he could not comprehend.
'If you care for fishing, Hammersley,' said Lord Fettercairn, 'the Bervie yields capital salmon, sea and yellow trout. Finella has filled more than one basket with the latter, but Shafto is somewhat of a duffer with his rod—he breaks many a rod, and has never landed a salmon yet.'
'And the shootings?' said Hammersley inquiringly.
'Well, the best in the county are Drumtochty, Fasque, Hobseat, and my own, as I hope you will find to-morrow.'
'Thanks—indeed, I am sure I shall.'