He
never knew how near he had been to meeting the direst inhospitality
at Mr. Runciman's house. That worthy innkeeper, knowing well the
Senator's sympathy with Goarly, Scrobby and Bearside, and being
heart and soul devoted to the Rufford interest, had almost refused
the Senator the accommodation he wanted. It was only when Mrs.
Runciman represented to him that she could charge ten shillings a
day for the use of her sitting-room, and also that Lord Rufford
himself had condescended to entertain the gentleman, that Runciman
gave way. Mr. Gotobed would, no doubt, have delighted in such
inhospitality. He would have gone to the second-rate inn, which was
very second-rate indeed, and have acquired a further insight into
British manners and British prejudices. As it was, he made himself
at home in the best upstairs sitting-room at the Bush, and was
quite unaware of the indignity offered to him when Mr. Runciman
refused to send him up the best sherry. Let us hope that this
refusal was remembered by the young woman in the bar when she made
out the Senator's bill.
He stayed at Dillsborough for three or four days during which he
saw Goarly once and Bearside on two or three occasions,--and
moreover handed to that busy attorney three bank notes for five
pounds each. Bearside was clever enough to make him believe that
Goarly would certainly obtain serious damages from the lord.
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