“Then what doth he abroad at so unseasonable an hour, pray?”

“Abroad, your honour? Where, sir?”

“Coming up the street—demme! There he is!” exclaimed Sir John pettishly, as a loud whistle shrilled beneath the window.

“Aye, that will be Sir Hector, your honour.”

“Well, I’ll not see him! Confound everything, I say, I’ll not be pestered, Bob!”

“Oho, John ... Johnnie ... ocheigh!”

Sir John promptly closed the window, whereupon Sir Hector’s voice rose but the louder:

“Oho, John ... wull ye no loot me ben?”

“Damme, but he’ll rouse the village!” cried Sir John.

“Shall I go down and let him in, your honour?”