— XVI —DENE PARK
Mr. Smithers was delighted with Dene Park. Unfortunately the auctioneer and estate agent, Mr. R. W. Felkin, with whom he had been in correspondence, not having been advised of his coming, was out at the time he called. He therefore had to be content with the society of one of that gentleman’s clerks, who accompanied him on the visit of inspection.
Dene Park was distant three or four miles from the town of Birchester. They drove to it in a dogcart, the clerk taking the reins. It was a pleasant drive, through the rich, undulating, well-wooded Sussex country. He told himself that a man could hardly desire a more agreeable approach to his home. He noticed how well the youngster from Mr. Felkin’s office drove
“You’re used to horses?”
“Rather.” Then the clerk added, as by wa
