“And Dering Manor, John ... the old house you’ve just had made habitable, will you leave it to emptiness and decay?”
Sir John turned to stare down the empty street.
“Go you and live there, Hector,” said he at last. “Why not? Mayhap I shall come back one day, but ... just now I—I could not bear the place.... And, thank heaven, here they come with the trunk!” So saying, Sir John stepped rather hastily into the chaise as Robert and the post-boy appeared, bearing the leathern trunk between them.
“All aboard, Bob?”
“Aye, your honour.”
“You will write every week regarding the estates?”
“Every week, sir.”
“Then good-bye, Bob!”
“Good-bye, your honour!” And, having shaken the hand Sir John extended, the Corporal took three steps to the rear and stood at attention.