"His lordship gave instructions that the car was to be cleaned; but now it's out again."
"Ah!" said Crutchley, apparently taking this as an intimation that gossip might proceed unchecked. "Well, they've got a nice day for it."
He made a tentative motion to seat himself, but caught Bunter's eye and compromised by leaning negligently against the end of the settle.
"'Ave you 'eard when they've fixed for the funeral?" inquired Mrs. Ruddle.
"'Leven-thirty ter-morrer."
"And 'igh time too--with 'im layin' there a week or more. There won't be many wet eyes, neither, if you ask me. There's one or two couldn't abide Mr. Noakes, not countin' 'im wot did away with 'im."
"They didn't get much forrader at the inquest, seems to me," observed Crutchley.
Bunter opened the what-not, and began to sele
