Without a word Arthur jumped into the dog-cart, and Susie took a seat by his side. Dr Porhoët, with a shrug of the shoulders, mounted behind. Arthur whipped up the pony, and at a smart trot they traversed the three miles across the barren heath that lay between Venning and Skene.
When they reached the park gates, the lodgekeeper, as luck would have it, was standing just inside, and she held one of them open for her little boy to come in. He was playing in the road and showed no inclination to do so. Arthur jumped down.
“I want to see Mr Haddo,” he said.
“Mr Haddo’s not in,” she answered roughly.
She tried to close the gate, but Arthur quickly put his foot inside.
“Nonsense! I have to see him on a matter of great importance.”
“Mr Haddo’s orders are that no one is to be admitted.”
“I can’t help that, I’m proposing to come in, all the same.”
Susie and Dr Porhoët came forward. They promised the small boy a shilling to hold their horse.
“Now then, get out of here,” cried the woman. “You’re not coming in, whatever you say.”