Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/69

Rh erroneously term morning, and consume a meal which you erroneously term breakfast. It is really a late supper, and the whole action is your form of dissipation, which you disguise to yourself under the plea that you have work to do. But do sit down; I have just finished the Times, understand all about our foreign relations, realise afresh under what a beast of a government we are staggering. I find the Irish are raising the devil in the western counties, and that the Scots, taking advantage of the commotion, are quietly gathering to themselves our little accumulations of gear by means of early rising, hard work, and pretended honesty; so, Peter, I am glad to see you, and hope you will talk in your usual interesting fashion."

"H-mm," grunted Peter.

"That's a good beginning. Well, how has the world been using you?"

"Oh, fairly. I'm going over to America next week."

"The deuce you say! Some new mines discovered in the western mountains, eh?"

"Not this trip. I don't suppose I shall get further west than New York."

"Oh, I thought you had some project on hand."

"I have."

"Then out with it, unless it's a secret."

"I want you to come with me."

"Why, they are doing me very well in London just now. My excellent cook brews coffee in a