Between the gates and the river there was a public road
on which a stage-coach ran, with loud-blown horns and the noise of
many tourists. A mile beyond the Castle was the famous
Killancodlem hotel which made up a hundred and twenty beds, and at
which half as many more guests would sleep on occasions under the
tables. And there was the Killancodlem post-office halfway between
the two. At Crummie-Toddie they had to send nine miles for their
letters and newspapers. At Killancodlem there was lawn-tennis and
a billiard-room and dancing every night. The costumes of the
ladies were lovely, and those of the gentlemen, who were wonderful
in knickerbockers, picturesque hats and variegated stockings,
hardly less so. and then there were carriages and saddle-horses,
and paths had been made hither and thither through the rocks and
hills for the sake of the scenery. Scenery! To hear Mr Dobbes
utter the single word was as good as a play. Was it for such
cockney purposes as those that Scotland had been created, fit
mother for grouse and deer?
Silverbridge arrived just before lunch, and was soon made to
understand that it was impossible that he should go back that day.
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