"What's your hurry, Jan?" asked Lionel.
"Ask my patients," responded Jan, "I am off the first thing to Mrs. Verner, and then shall take my round. I wish you luck, Lionel."
"Thank you, Jan," said Lionel. "Nothing less than the woolsack, of course."
"My gracious!" said literal Jan. "I say, Lionel, I'd not count upon that. If only one in a thousand gets to the woolsack, and all the lot expect it, what an amount of heart-burning must be wasted."
"Right, Jan. Only let me lead my circuit and I shall deem myself lucky."
"How long will it take you before you can accomplish that?" asked Jan. "Twenty years?"
A shade crossed Lionel's countenance. That he was beginning late in life, none knew better than he. Jan bade him farewell, and departed for Verner's Pride.
Lady Verner was down before Lionel went. He intended to take the quarter-past ten o'clock train.
"When are we to meet again?" she asked, holding her hand in his.
"I will come home to see you soon, mother."