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

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
[114]
her entrance. "I'm curious to see how he sets about that operation, and as we have not
much time to spare I hope it may take place speedily."
Simon had from the first resented the mixture of familiarity and insolence in his cousin's
tone, and was now somewhat affronted by this very broad hint. Something in the other's
eager manner, moreover, and a latent apprehension which he seemed to detect in the
glance which Bertha cast upon her brother, aroused a sudden suspicion which did not
tend to make the request less distasteful.
"I fear, Mr. Gifford," he replied coldly, "that I cannot offer you any refreshment that
you will think it worth while to partake of, though the best I have is at your service. We
live very simply here, and there is no wine in the house."
"Pooh, as to that, I am not particular, my dear fellow. A glass of brandy or even of
hollands would warm one famously."
"I was about to add that we drink no spirits," said Simon in the same tone. "Then what
in the Devil's name do you drink, man?" cried Edward irritably.
"There is light beer of our own brewing," said Fleetwood quietly; "and there is plenty of
milk, and my aunt keeps the household supplied with ginger ale."
“And you forget, Nephew, the orange brandy," put in Miss Belinda eagerly. "I have but
just finished making it, and, though I say it as shouldn't, there isn't its equal in the
country-side. 'Tis a most excellent cordial, I assure you, sir — wonderful for the
spasms, or for a chill or that. I make a gallon every year, an' the village folk they think
the world of it."
“It is sweet stuff, good enough for a cordial, but I should not care to offer it to anybody
to drink," returned
[115]
her nephew hastily, struck by the beseeching expression in Bertha's eyes. "Nay, but if
the gentleman's feeling so chilly he'll have taken cold very like, an' a sup of this will just
set him to rights. An’ if the young lady would be so good as to taste it —she looks but
pale. Nephew — it would really do her good. I'll fetch it in a minute."
"That's right," exclaimed Edward approvingly.