“Very well, poor little thing, we are all very well. Did you come from Wyvern?” said Charles.
“Yes.”
“And the old man just as usual, I suppose?”
“Just the same, only not growing no younger, you’ll suppose.”
Charles nodded.
“And a d—d deal crosser, too. There’s times, I can tell you, he won’t stand no one nigh him—not even old Drake, d—d vicious.”
Harry laughed.
“They say he liked Ally—they do, upon my soul, and I wouldn’t wonder, ’tis an old rat won’t eat cheese—only you took the bit out o’ his mouth, when you did, and that’s enough to rile a fellow, you know.”
“Who says so?” asked Charles, with a flush on his face.
“The servants—yes—and the townspeople—it’s pretty well about, and I think if it came to the old boy’s ears there would be black eyes and bloody noses about it, I do.”