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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
"I will drive you to Ormskirk or Liverpool," cried Simon. "You can post home from
there if you've a mind. I can give you a muffler to wrap round your face, and if you pull
your hat over your eyes, people will not see that there is much amiss."
"A most generous offer, truly, but I am in no mood for travelling to-day, thank you,
Cousin. Still, if you will drive me to Liverpool I will get me to bed at one of the hotels
there, have my hurt seen to, and proceed with my journey to-morrow. I will send a note
to Mr. Charnock, saying that important business calls me home at once."
"Then let us set out immediately," returned Simon. " 'Tis nearly five o'clock: my men
will soon be here."
"Put in the horse," growled Gifford, "and fetch me that muffler you spoke of. I have but
to put on my coat and I am ready."
He limped slowly back to the bam, and Simon at once went in search of the horse. In a
few minutes they were speeding along the roughly-paved road that led to Liverpool.
They had almost reached their journey's end when Simon was surprised by a low
chuckle from his companion. "That's right! Make the best of it," he said, smiling down
good-naturedly.
“Aye, Cousin, things might have been worse," returned Gifford with a sardonic grin.
"I'll get me another sweetheart and order home my sister — and there'll be the devil to
pay yonder."
He fell to chuckling again. Simon, much mystified, gazed at him without speaking.
"I'd give something to see old Charnock's face," cried Mr. Gifford, and spoke no more
until, alighting at the Adelphi Hotel, he issued an order for a bedroom and raw
beefsteaks.
[156]
CHAPTER XIV.
Will fortune never come with both hands full,
But write her fair words still in foulest letters?
She either gives a stomach, and no food,—
Such are the poor, in health; or else a feast,