'Ah, it'll get better of that,' observed his lordship. 'It's not much after eight yet,' he added, staring at his watch, and with difficulty making out that it was half-past. 'Days take off terribly about this time of year,' he observed; 'I've seen about Christmas when it has never been rightly light all day long.'
They then floundered on again for some time further as before.
'Shouldn't wonder if we have a large field,' at length observed Jack, bringing his hack alongside his lordship's.
'Shouldn't wonder if Puff himself was to come—all over brooches and rings as usual,' replied his lordship.
'And Charley Slapp, I'll be bund to say,' observed Jack. 'He a regular hanger-on of Puff's.'
'Ass, that Slapp,' said his lordship; 'hate the sight of him!'
'So do I,' replied Jack, adding, 'hate a hanger-on!'
'There are the hounds,' said his lordship, as they now approached Culverton Dean, and a line of something white was discernible travelling the zig-zagging road on the opposite side.
'Are they, think you?' replied Jack, staring through his great spectacles; 'are they, think you? It looks to me more like a flock of sheep.'
'I believe you're right,' said his lordship, staring too; 'indeed, I hear the dog. The hounds, however, can't be far ahead.'