He led the way into the house. Dinner was already served. Lennox followed the country custom in dining early. I don't know how the staid elderly woman, who was both cook and housekeeper, and who was to fulfil the same offices for me, would take to such an innovation as dinner at seven. I ate well after my journey, Lennox but sparingly. He offered me a high ball with the meal, but drank only water himself. "I've got into country ways," he said. "I'm afraid you'll find the place a bit dull, Haverill, but you'll manage all right. You can get most things you want, down here; the tradespeople aren't bad." Over our meal we talked chiefly of the University days when we had been more or less friends, though Lennox was already a senior when I entered, of the men we had mutually known and of their careers, and lightly only, of our own. Lennox was not over-talkative, but he seemed more at ease as the day wore on. I could see he was glad to have me definitely there, was anxious to start, but I was not quite prepared for his answer when I asked him what day he thought of leaving. "Oh, tomorrow! I shall get the twelve-thirty to the city. Everything is ready." I suppose I looked rather blank, for I had counted on a couple of days at least in his company before I was left alone. "You'll find everything easy to hand. I'll go over things with you this evening. It isn't a specially busy place here, you know!" "And you'll be away three months?" I asked. "More or less.... My dear fellow, I want a change! I want it frightfully!" I agreed with him. His eyes were wandering round the room as he spoke. "The work's nothing here--worse luck! You'll have practically a holiday. But I'm quite run down. There've been some ... some family worries. What's the matter, Pete?" The coloured man had come into the room. "De mare's done got anudder shoe loose. I 'specs I'll hev to take her into town." "Again? You should have had it seen to this morning early." He spoke irritably. "Take her in, and don't be late back!" "Yessah!" Pete went out lingeringly, and I more than suspected from his entry that he had been listening, or attempting to listen, to our talk. "That man," I said when he had gone. "Do you find him all right?" "Pete?" Lennox lit a cigar. "He's invaluable! You'll find him a splendid servant. He's been with me three years, and I wouldn't part with him for a good deal. He has his faults, as all darkies have, but he's thoroughly trustworthy!" I thought of the furtive groping in his pocket when we passed the hare. "A bit superstitious, eh?" "What do you mean," Lennox fairly wheeled on me. "Has he been talking?" "I imagine he carries an assortment of amulets about with him." "Oh, that!" He looked vaguely relieved. "All of 'em do. He's a walking catalogue of superstitions. It's the only thing we have rows about. I detest all that nonsense!" "I'll have a talk with him, some day," I said.