Five minutes were allowed
him, and then he came down with a large sandwich in one hand and a
button-hook in the other, with which he was prepared to complete
his toilet. 'What the deuce makes you always in such a hurry?'
were the first words he spoke as Lord Chiltern got on the box. The
Master knew him too well to argue the point. 'Well;--he always is
in a hurry,' said the sinner, when his wife accused him of
ingratitude.
'Where's Spooner?' asked the Master when he saw Mrs Spooner
without her husband at the meet.
'I knew how it would be when I saw the port-wine,' she said in a
whisper that could be heard all round. 'He has got it this time
sharp,--in his great toe. We shan't find at Grantingham. They were
cutting wood there last week. If I were you, my Lord, I'd go away
to the Spinnies at once.'
'I must draw the country regularly,' muttered the Master.
The country was drawn regularly, but in vain till about two
o'clock. Not only was there no fox at Grantingham Wood, but none
even at the Spinnies. And at two, Fowler, with an anxious face,
held a consultation with his more anxious master.
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