But
that the two ladies should be at the same house was unfortunate.
He and Gerald reached Crummie-Toddie late on the evening of August
the eleventh, and found Reginald Dobbes alone. That was on
Wednesday. Popplecourt and Niddledale ought to have made their
appearance on that morning, but had telegraphed to say that they
would be detained two days on their route. Tregear, whom hitherto
Dobbes had never seen, had left his arrival uncertain. This
carelessness on such matters was very offensive to Mr Dobbes, who
loved discipline and exactitude. He ought to have received the two
young men with open arms because they were punctual; but he had
been somewhat angered by what he considered the extreme youth of
Lord Gerald. Boys who could not shoot were, he thought, putting
themselves forward before their time. And Silverbridge himself was
by no means a first-rate shot. Such a one as Silverbridge had to
be endured because from his position and wealth he could
facilitate such arrangements as these. It was much to have to do
with a man who could not complain if an extra fifty pounds were
wanted.
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