"I am only a stranger from South Africa
lodging at an hotel. If you will give me time to call for my bag, I
will pass the night at your house with pleasure."
By the aid of Mr. Somers' smart dog-cart, which was waiting at a city
mews, we reached Twickenham while there was still half an hour of
daylight. The house, which was called Verbena Lodge, was small, a
square, red-brick building of the early Georgian period, but the
gardens covered quite an acre of ground and were very beautiful, or
must have been so in summer. Into the greenhouse we did not enter,
because it was too late to see the flowers. Also, just when we came to
them, Woodden arrived in his four-wheeled cab and departed with his
master to see to the housing of "O. Pavo."
Then came dinner, a very pleasant meal. My host had that day been
turned out upon the world, but he did not allow this circumstance to
interfere with his spirits in the least. Also he was evidently
determined to enjoy its good things while they lasted, for his
champagne and port were excellent.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86