Your noble son--a fine young gentleman--slept in it last, sir, half a year ago.' 'Upon my life, a recommendation!' said the guest, shrugging his shoulders and wheeling his chair nearer to the fire.

'See that it be well aired, Mr Willet, and let a blazing fire be lighted there at once.
This house is something damp and chilly.' John raked the faggots up again, more from habit than presence of mind, or any reference to this remark, and was about to withdraw, when a bounding step was heard upon the stair, and Barnaby came panting in.
'He'll have his foot in the stirrup in an hour's time,' he cried, advancing.

'He has been riding hard all day--has just come home--but will be in the saddle again as soon as he has eat and drank, to meet his loving friend.' 'Was that his message ?' asked the visitor, looking up, but without the smallest discomposure--or at least without the show of any.
'All but the last words,' Barnaby rejoined.

'He meant those.

I saw that, in his face.' 'This for your pains,' said the other, putting money in his hand, and glancing at him steadfastly.' This for your pains, sharp Barnaby.' 'For Grip, and me, and Hugh, to share among us,' he rejoined, putting it up, and nodding, as he counted it on his fingers.