The laird made up the fire, and turned away, saying he must go and see the sick horse.
"Mr.Warlock!" said Lord Mergwain, and spoke with a snarl, "you will not deprive us of the only pleasure we have--that of your company ?" "I shall be back in a few minutes, my lord," replied his host; and added, "I must see about lunch too." "That was wonderful claret!" said his lordship, thoughtfully.
"I shall see to the claret, my lord." "If I MIGHT suggest, let it be brought here.

A gentle airing under my own eye, just an introduction to the fire, would improve what is otherwise perfect .-- And look here," he added, as, with a kindly bow of assent, the laird was going, "-- you haven't got a pack of cards, have you ?" "I believe there is a pack somewhere in the house," replied the laird, "but it is very old, and I fear too much soiled for your lordship's hands." "Oh, confound the dirt!" said his lordship.

"Let us have them.
They're the only thing to make the time pass." "Have you a library ?" asked Lady Joan--mainly to say something, for she was not particularly fond of books; like most people she had not yet learned to read.
"What do you want with a library ?" growled her father.

"Books are nothing but a pack of lies, not half so good for killing time as a pack of cards.

You're going to play a rubber, not to read books!" "With pleasure, papa," responded Lady Joan.
"_I_ don't want to kill the time.