§ 5
Freddie went out into the garden. He had not wandered far when from somewhere close at hand there was borne to him on the breeze a remark in a high voice about Scottish obstinacy, which could only have proceeded from one source. He quickened his steps.
“Hallo, guv’nor.”
“Well, Frederick?”
Freddie shuffled.
“I say, guv’nor, do you think I might go up to town with you this afternoon?”
“What!”
“Fact is, I ought to see my dentist. Haven’t been to him for a deuce of a time.”
“I cannot see the necessity for you to visit a London dentist. There is an excellent man in Shrewsbury, and you know I have the strongest objection to your going to London.”
“Well, you see, this fellow understands my snappers. Always been to him, I mean to say. Anybody who knows anything about these things will tell you greatest mistake go buzzing about to different dentists.”
Already Lord Emsworth’s attention was wandering back to the waiting McAllister.
“Oh, very well, very well.”
“Thanks awfully, guv’nor.”
“But on one thing I insist, Frederick. I cannot have you loafing about London the whole day. You must catch the twelve-fifty train back.”
“Right ho. That’ll be all right, guv’nor.”
“Now, listen to reason, McAllister,” said his lordship. “That is all I ask you to do—listen to reason . . .”