way as his master, 'has brought home the riding-whip
you lost the other day. I told him you were out, but he said he was to
wait while I brought it in, and wouldn't go till I did.'

'He was quite right,' returned his master, 'and you're a blockhead,
possessing no judgment or discretion whatever. Tell him to come in, and
see that he rubs his shoes for exactly five minutes first.'

The man laid the whip on a chair, and withdrew. The master, who had only
heard his foot upon the ground and had not taken the trouble to turn
round and look at him, shut his book, and pursued the train of ideas his
entrance had disturbed.

'If time were money,' he said, handling his snuff-box, 'I would compound
with my creditors, and give them--let me see--how much a day? There's
my nap after dinner--an hour--they're extremely welcome to that, and to
make the most of it. In the morning, between my breakfast and the
paper, I could spare them another hour; in the evening before dinner
say another. Three hours a day. They might pay themselves in calls, with
interest, in twelve months. I think I shall propose it to them. Ah, my
centaur, are you there?'

'Here I am,' replied Hugh, striding in, followed by a dog, as rough and
sullen as himself; 'and trouble enough I've had to get here. What do you
ask me to come for, and keep me out when I DO come?'

'My good fellow,' returned the other, raising his head a little from the
cushion and carelessly surveying him from top to toe, 'I am delighted to
see you, and to have, in your being here, the very best proof that you
are not kept out. How are you?'

'I'm well enough,' said Hugh impatiently.

'You look a perfect marvel of health. Sit down.'

'I'd rather stand,' said Hugh.

'Please yourself my good fellow,' returned Mr Chester rising, slowly
pulling off the loose robe he wore, and sitting down before the
dressing-glass. 'Please yourself by all means.'

Having said this in the politest and blandest tone possible, he went on
dressing, and took no further notice of his guest, who stood in the same
spot as uncertain what to do next, eyeing him sulkily from time to time.

'Are you going to speak to me, master?' he said, after a long silence.

'My worthy creature,' returned Mr Chester, 'you are a little ruffled and
out of humour. I'll wait till you're quite yourself again. I am in no
hurry.'

This behaviour had its intended effect. It humbled and abashed the man,
and made him still more irresolute