“A little pretty pistol,” he said.
“Nice silver chasing,” said Perrin.
“Spanish,” said Margaret. “They make those at Toledo.”
“Let me see,” said Olivia.
“Yes. Spanish,” said Stukeley. “Wheel-lock. Loaded. Priming-cup lidded. A very nice little gun. See the Spanish motto?”
“What does the Spanish mean?” asked Olivia. “Se nada, pero. I can’t read it.”
“It means, ‘I know nothing. But I talk well.’ I wonder if I’ve forgotten my pistol shooting. Eh? I used to be able to nail the ace of diamonds at a dozen yards. Let’s make Pilly back up against the wall, and do the William Tell act.”
“Tom, dear. Don’t play with that. It’s loaded. You might hurt somebody.”
“Yes. Put it down, Stukeley,” said Margaret. “It’s one of old Howard’s treasures. Put it down.”
“Put it down?” said Stukeley. “You’ve got a nerve to tell me to put it down. I want this little gun. I like it. I’m going to bag it. If anybody interferes with me at dinner, Livy, I shall just plug him. Pop. In between the eyes. You see if I don’t.” He slipped the pistol into his pocket.