The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900 ... - Gredos

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
While they sat together in the snug parlour awaiting the hour of the repast there came a
loud, imperious knock at the street door, and in another moment Edward Gifford was
ushered in.
“Here I am, Mr. Renshaw — as good as my word, you see,” he cried, as the old man
rose in surprise and perturbation. "Come to take pot luck with you, and to crack a bottle
of that famous old port that you were bragging about the other day at Charnleigh. What!
Do not look so flabbergasted, man — I said Td take you unawares, you know, and I
deserve some amends for letting myself be fleeced by you and your precious Squire.
He's a knowing old dog, Renshaw, and, for the matter of that, so are you. I’ll engage
your port is prime stuff; so we'll have a bottle a piece."
[137]
He poked Mr. Renshaw on the waistcoat and laughed loudly. "You have no conscience,
you old rogue," he said, “but I daresay you've a good cellar. There are capital pickings
to be had in your way of business. But four per cent, you know — 'tis a devilish hard
bargain, Renshaw! Another man in my shoes would have had seven."
"Come, come, Mr. Gifford," cried the lawyer, "I have done my best in the interests of
my employer; and you, no doubt, have done what you thought to be best in your own
interests. But we must not talk shop out of business hours. You are heartily welcome
here, though if I'd known you were coming I would have made better preparation. I am
honoured by your company, and so I am sure my young friend here will feel himself.
Let me introduce him. Though the son of an honest yeoman he has good connections on
the mother's side, and is, indeed, by education a gentleman. You will find him a
pleasant, well-informed fellow."
This explanation was made hurriedly in an undertone as the pair advanced together
towards the hearth; where, the evening being chilly, a small fire was burning. Simon
had hitherto been sitting with averted face, so that Gifford had not identified him; but he
now rose and bowed gravely.
“Mr. Gifford and I have already met," he said.