"
"I wouldn't wonder," said Doyle, "but it might be according to that book
that Simpkins was reared. It would be hard to account for the kind of
man he is any other way."
"It might be that," said the doctor; "but I'd say myself it's more likely
to be the want of beating when he was young that's the matter with him."
"Will you stay and have a bit of dinner now you're here, Mr. Meldon?"
said Doyle. "I wouldn't like your temper would be destroyed for the want
of what I'd be glad to give you."
Meldon looked at his watch.
"Thank you," he said, "I will. It's one o'clock, and Sabina ought to
have the bacon ready by now if she started cooking it the time I told
her."
CHAPTER VII.
Ballymoy House, save for the occasional presence of a fishing tenant,
has been unoccupied for years. Two men are employed to keep the
grounds tidy, and Mr. Simpkins does his best to see that the work is
done. But in spite of his exertions the place is in a condition of
disorder. There is long grass where there ought to be trim lawns; wild
growths of brambles in nooks originally dedicated to rose gardening;
and a general air of exuberance about the trees and shrubs.
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