“I see you name that last which I should name first. So these constitute a gentleman, in your opinion?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Not always. I have known men combining all the qualifications you have mentioned, who were very far from being gentlemen, in my opinion.”
“How is that, sir?” asked James, puzzled.
“They were arrogant, puffed up with an idea of their own importance, deficient in politeness.”
“How well he has described James!” thought Herbert, but he was too much of a gentleman to say so.
James looked disconcerted, and dropped the subject. He thought the lawyer had some queer ideas. Why need a gentleman be polite to his inferiors? he thought, but he didn't say so.
After supper the boys went out behind the house, and feasted on peaches, which were just ripe. Herbert found Tom very social, but James took very little notice of him. Our hero did not make himself unhappy on this account. In fact, he was in unusual good spirits, and enjoyed in anticipation the pleasure of going back to Wrayburn with the welcome news of the two legacies.
About half past seven Mr. Spencer came out into the orchard.
“As the stage starts early in the morning, Herbert,” he said, “we had better go over and get the trunk ready, so that you can take it home.”