"What’s the old boy say to it, hey?" asked Coombe.
"The Earl—Gowerhurst—what’s he say to it all, hey?"
"Oh he—I don’t think he’s been down yet, but he’s coming, they are expecting him to-day."
"I’ll lay he don’t know that I’m here," Coombe said. "If he did he wouldn’t show up, not he."
"And why not?" asked Sir Josiah. "Why not, Coombe? I’d like to know."
"Money, my boy, money! I’ve had dealings with his Lordship before. His Lordship knows me well enough; bet you a fiver, Homewood, when the old boy sees me he’ll turn green."
"I hope," said Sir Josiah with great dignity, "that here in my daughter-in-law’s house there is not going to be any discussion about money matters. No shop, Coombe, no shop. We owe it at least to Lady Kathleen to behave like gentlemen when we are her guests."
Coombe looked at the old gentleman out of the corner of his eyes. "Quite right, Homewood, I should be sorry to be guilty of any disrespect to so charming and kind hearted a young lady I’m sure. The only wonder to me is that such a father should have such a child." Coombe winked broadly at Jobson, a very humorous man, Mr. Coombe, and fond of his little joke.
And now came Allan, who had been delayed by the garrulous but competent Mr. Custance. He gripped his father by the hand and thrust his hand through the old gentleman’s arm.
He was kindly and courteous to Coombe, whom he did not like, and to Jobson and Cutler, whom he esteemed because they were his father’s friends.
"Seen her, yes, why bless her she was waiting on the steps to welcome us, that’s what I call a welcome, Allan. None of your Society manners with Kathleen, no sending in of cards and being ushered in by servants. There she was, bless her pretty face, watching for us and ran down the steps, she did, and—and well, where have you been, Allan, hey? I hear you are going to make your fortune."
"I’m going to have a good try at earning a bit of money, father, and it can be done; I’ll talk to you about it later. Now come in and have a look at the house, Mr. Coombe, I am sure would like something."
"Ha, ha!" said Coombe. "Guessed it at once, Allan, my boy! I’ve just been wondering how long it would be before someone made the suggestion."
They went in. Kathleen saw them come, but she was watching for the other visitor, the other guest, whom she told herself, she would not be half so pleased to see as the guest who had already arrived.