After breakfast, the company sat out on the verandah. The colonel had to
smoke his morning cigar, and courteously offered his cigar case to all
the gentlemen, who declined with thanks. "If it were not that I might
trouble the ladies," said the minister, "I might take a draw out of poor
Coristine's meerschaum." Mrs. Carmichael at once said: "Please do so,
Mr. Errol; the doctor smoked, so that I am quite used to it. I like to
see a good man enjoying his pipe."
"You are quite sure, Mrs. Carmichael, that it will not be offensive? I
would cut off my right hand rather than be a smoking nuisance to any
lady."
"Quite sure, Mr. Errol; go on and fill your pipe, unless you want me to
fill it for you. I know how to do it."
So, Mr. Errol continued the splore, and smoked the Turk's head. Mr.
Terry lit his dudheen, and Mr. Bigglethorpe, his briar. The Squire's
head was too sore for smoking, but he said he liked the smell o' the
reek. While thus engaged, a buggy drove up, and Miss Halbert and Mr.
Perrowne alighted from it, while Maguffin, always watchful, took the
horse round to the stable yard.
Pages:
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622