An Excellent Beginning

Dinner was served at seven o'clock at the Nag's Head, and was a
substantial meal, consisting of spiced salt beef, gooseberry pie, and
cheese. Mrs McNab carved the joint at the sideboard, and directed the
movements of the maid by a series of glares which appeared to be fraught
with wondrous significance.

"Brither Elgood" took the head of the table, and beamed upon his
companions with cherubic good-nature, while his brother sat on his left,
immersed in thought and his dinner. An elderly man with a strong
Glasgow accent came next, accompanied by a homely, kindly-looking wife.
(Margot sighed with relief to find that after all she was not the only
lady of the company). Across from them sat a bowed old man, wearing a
clerical collar with his tweed coat, and a thin, weedy-looking youth,
evidently his son. An eminently staid and respectable company, but
hardly of thrilling interest!

Ronald's handsome, clear-cut face stood out like a cameo among them,
while Margot's fluffy net blouse looked a garment of superfine
smartness. There was no opportunity of talking to either of the
brothers Elgood, separated as they were by the length of the table. The
clergyman, Mr Moffat, remarked that it had been a fine day, an ex-
ceptionally fine day! Mrs Macalister, the Glasgow lady, handed the
mustard with the suggestion that it was always an improvement to a
boiled round; but with these thrilling exceptions the newcomers were
left to their own devices. Conversation even among the older residents
was spasmodic and intermittent, and in no sense could the meal be termed
sociable or cheerful.