“When did you hear this?” said Harker; for the reader will have guessed by this time that the visitor was no other than Horace’s old Wilderham ally.
“Yesterday.”
“And he doesn’t know yet?”
“How could I tell him? Of course I’m to get all the blame. I expected it.”
“Who’s blaming you?” said Harker, whom the news had suddenly brought on terms of familiarity with his friend’s friend. “When will he be here?”
“Very soon, I suppose.”
“And then you’ll tell him?”
“You will, please,” said Booms, quite eagerly for him.
“Somebody must, poor fellow!” said Harker. “We don’t know what we may be losing by the delay.”
“Of course it’s my fault for not waking him up in the middle of the night and telling him,” said Booms dismally.