“You don’t get ’prenticed for nothing,” was the faithless rejoinder.
Christopher joggled the boat and shouted: “You sinner, if you won’t take my word for it I’ll smash you.”
“All right—keep cool, I’m only having you on, Chris. Oughtn’t we to turn now?”
They expended their excitement and emotion in rowing furiously, and landed again at Maidenhead in time for tea. Then Christopher broke the further news to Sam that he was to return with him to Aston House and see Cæsar. He overcame with difficulty Sam’s reiterated objections, and they walked from Paddington, Christopher keeping a strict guard over Sam lest he should escape. 151
But Sam’s objections were more “code” than genuine. He was really anxious to hear the wonderful news confirmed by more responsible lips than Christopher’s—not that he disbelieved his intentions, but he still doubted his powers. He grew very silent, however, as they turned in at the beautiful iron gates of Aston House. He had never managed to really connect his old friend with this wonderful dignified residence that he knew vaguely by sight. He had had dim visions of Christopher slipping in by a side entrance avoiding the eyes of plush-breeched lords-in-waiting. But here was that young gentleman marching calmly in at the big front doors nodding cheerfully to the sober-clad man waiting in the hall who called Christopher “Sir.”
Sam successfully concealed under an expression of solid matter-of-factness the interest and curiosity that consumed him. He looked straight before him and yet saw all round. He accepted the whole calmly, but he wanted to sit down and stare.
Christopher explained that they were to have dinner together in his own sitting-room as soon as they had seen Aymer.
They went through the swing doors down the long corridor leading to Aymer’s room, and Christopher stopped for a moment near a window.
“I never come down here in this sort of light,” he said with a little catch in his voice, “without thinking of the first evening I came. How big it all seemed and how quiet.”
“It is quiet,” said Sam in a subdued whisper.