"Be Gad!" he said, "I expected to slip to covert behind his back, and here he is standing at the mouth of the earth."
"You ask for the loan of half-a-crown," said Neville, jerking his head. "He, he! Huh, huh, huh!"
Mr. Horrington lifted his stick in majestic salutation. "You didn't expect me, I dare say. However, I had no intention of letting an old friend slip away without a handshake." He laughed his rusty laugh. He recalled suddenly the empty tobacco pouch in his hand. "Here's the result of coming away in a hurry. I neglected to replenish this morning. Five minutes ago I was thinking of stoking up the first pipe of the day when I saw what had happened. How about the loan of a pipeful? I am always covetous of a dip into your pouch, Mr. Selwyn. Really, I must get the address of your tobacconist before you are off."
Then indeed it seemed that Mr. Horrington led that party of three men through the doorway of the hotel, and later that Mr. Horrington drank three times at the expense of other people. Later still, when the quartette came out into the open, where the sun's rim was climbing over the horizon, it seemed that Selwyn's eye was shining and himself full of a sudden energy, that Mr. King stepped more briskly than was his wont, and that old Neville's laugh was a trifle loud.
Time would not listen to delay, and there arrived the final moments. The Selwyn luggage was strapped secure beside the mail-bags, and Scabbyback and Gripper now found an uncharitable seat atop there. Joe Gantley climbed into the driver's seat and shook the team awake, when they changed to other legs and dropped their heads once more. Mr. Horrington ran his tongue along the edge of his moustache again. Joe Gantley picked up his whip, put it down, picked it up a second time, and gave the signal for passengers to mount.
The company gathered close beside the coach. There arose many exclamations and much shaking of hands. Last thanks were said. Last promises were made. Last advice was given. Mrs. Selwyn mounted without misadventure beside the driver. She still felt most unwell. She did not know whether she was on her crown or her toes. Selwyn took his seat at the end of the room, and discreetly and regretfully elbowed the way into a good position. Everybody gave more last advice. Mrs. Selwyn nodded her head graciously and finally. Selwyn smiled his most charming smile. Maud laughed. Neville chuckled. Mr. Horrington raised his stick augustly. King called out good luck.
Joe Gantley drew the reins together and cracked his whip. The team jerked into wakefulness and fell into their collars. The coach jerked forward. Mrs. Selwyn and Selwyn jerked forward. Scabbyback and Gripper jerked forward. There were a tapping of hoofs and a groaning of wood, and the coach rolled towards Morning Springs.
"Well," said the old man looking after it, "I may be wrong, huh, huh! but I reckon we can get along without them. I may be wrong, huh, huh!"
Such was the manner of the Selwyn going.