"I suppose so. Things seem to be going tolerably cross just now.
"Cross and contrary," groaned Hill. "As they always do, I've noticed, when it's specially necessary they should go smooth. My lady was speaking about Miss White, you know, sir."
"Yes. I'll go up and speak with my mother. But I must have something to eat, Hill."
"The luncheon ought to be in," was Hill's reply. And she crossed to the bell and gave it a sharp pull.
"Have you been walking to Mrs. Freeman's?" I asked of Mr. Chandos, as he was quitting the room.
"That would be more than a twenty-mile walk, there and back," he answered, turning to speak. "I honoured the omnibus with my company as far as the station, and then went on by train; coming back in the same way."
The luncheon was on the table when he descended from his mother's rooms, and he hastily sat down to it. He was dressed differently then.
"I will not invite you to take it with me," he observed, "for I must not sit five minutes, and can barely snatch a mouthful."
"Are you going far?"
"Not very far; but I wish to be home to dinner. That will do, Joseph; you need not wait."