And when Lord Crosland and
two other men joined him there, he was very well contented. The others
shared his content; Tinker, more and more the Baron Hildebrand of
Ardrochan, was quite happy, and there they stayed till the Scotch
winter came down on them in all its fell severity.
Then they moved southwards to Melton Mowbray, and hunted till the frost
put an end to that sport. On the third night of the frost, as they
were cutting for partners for a fresh rubber of bridge, Lord Crosland
said: "I tell you what, Beauleigh, the sooner we get out of this
weather the better. Let's be off to Monte Carlo, make up a pool, and
try that system of yours."
"It's a very good idea," said Sir Tancred. "The only question is
whether the English winter isn't good for Tinker. It's hardening, you
know."
"Always Tinker," said Lord Crosland with a smile. "I tell you what,
Nature ought to have made you a woman: what a splendid mother you'd
have made!"
"I think she'd have found she'd made a pretty bad mistake," said Sir
Tancred.
"Besides," said Lord Crosland, "the Admirable is as hard as a tenpenny
nail as it is. I've never seen the little beggar tired yet; and I've
seen him at the end of some hardish days.
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