Indeed, the dinner was a dull one for him, and he added little or nothing to the stock of talk.
When his wife left the room, however, he had to say something, so they spoke of shooting.

The Saint had a redeeming feature--he was somewhat of a sportsman, though a poor one, and he described to Geoffrey a new pair of hammerless guns, which he had bought for a trifling sum of a hundred and forty guineas, recommending the pattern to his notice.
"Yes," answered Geoffrey, "I daresay that they are very nice; but, you see, they are beyond me.

A poor man cannot afford so much for a pair of guns." "Oh, if that is all," answered his guest, "I will sell you these; they are a little long in the stock for me, and you can pay me when you like.
Or, hang it all, I have plenty of guns.

I'll be generous and give them to you.

If I cannot afford to be generous, I don't know who can!" "Thank you very much, Mr.Dunstan," answered Geoffrey coldly, "but I am not in the habit of accepting such presents from my--acquaintances.