Mr Auberly, being utterly ignorant of rural matters, thought it best to say nothing to this.
We may add that Willie knew just as little (or as much), and had only ventured the remark because he had often heard it made in every possible variety of weather, and thought that it would be a safe observation, replete, for all he knew to the contrary, with hidden wisdom.
There was silence after this for some time.
“D’you know Mr Tippet well, sir?” inquired Willie suddenly.
“Ye—yes; oh yes, I know him pretty well.”
“Ah, he’s a first-rater,” observed Willie, with a look of enthusiasm; “you’ve no notion what a trump he is. Did you hear ever of his noo machine for makin’ artificial butter?”
“No,” said Mr Auberly, somewhat impatiently.
“Ah, it’s a wonderful invention, that is, sir.”
“Boy,” said Mr Auberly, “will you be so good as to walk behind me?”
“Oh, cer’nly, sir,” said Willie, with a profound bow, as he fell to the rear.