"The Governor says '[OE]dipus Rex' would be more appropriate," added Tod, his brown hands on the steering wheel. "Why?" "Because of the murders at the cross roads that'll be committed. Ready?" There was a preparatory purr of the engine, then a delightful roaring hum, and they glided forwards, imperceptibly gathering speed. The chill wind whipped John's face. He looked joyously at Vernley seated beside him and noted the disdainful pose of lordship. Vernley's utter contempt for a display of feeling always amused John. The villages tore by, fowls screeched, and flew with fluttered feathers into the hedge bottoms; they roared up the hills and ran silently down into the valleys. Half an hour later they had turned in at the familiar drive and, pulled up at the stone porch. Inside the hall Mrs. Vernley came to meet John. "Here you are at last--we are so glad to see you, John." "Thank you--it's good to be here, Mrs. Vernley." The dogs, as if welcoming an old friend, bounded forwards. "Down, Tiger--down, Ruff--down, sir!" yelled Vernley, and they cowered and wagged their tails, beating a tattoo on the parquet floor. In the library, gleaming with a rosy fire, its light shining on the silver tea service, John found Mr. Vernley. "Hullo, my boy! well, how are you? I hear we've found a great orator at last!" John smiled, then halted as he saw some one standing at Mr. Vernley's side. "Ribble," said Vernley turning to him, "this is our rising hope." Then to John, "This is Mr. Ribble--you'll be great friends I'm sure, though I don't know which side of him you'll like the better. Mr. Ribble has written some very clever books, and he's in the Cabinet, so that politicians say he's a good author and a bad politician, and authors say he's a good politician and a bad author." "And my wife says I should have been a nonconformist divine. How d'you do, John; we must hear some of these famous flights of oratory." "He's the real stuff, sir," said Vernley enthusiastically.--"Doesn't half work 'em, makes the 'gods' boil over!" "This empire, this realm upon which the sun has never looked--no, that's not it, sir--I'm no orator," said Tod. "Let's have tea, Mother. By Jove, Governor, you should have heard her sing up Carshott Hill--did it on top, lots in hand. When she's tuned up she'll take a houseside." "Lord! You've done nothing but tune up since you had her," cried Bobbie.