Big Game - A Story for Girls

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.

As soon as it was over "the real Mr Elgood" darted upstairs to his own

room, the remaining gentlemen strolled out of doors to smoke their

pipes, and Mrs Macalister escorted Margot to the best parlour across

the landing.

It was a chill, yet fusty little apartment, the shrine of the

accumulated treasures of Mrs McNab's lifetime. Time was when she had

been cook to a family in Edinburgh, before McNab won her reluctant

consent to matrimony. Photographs of different members of "The Family"

were displayed in plush frames on the mantelpiece, table, and piano-top.

Mr Moncrieff in Sheriff's attire, "The Mistress" in black satin;

Master Percy in cap and gown, Miss Isabel reclining in a hammock, Master

Bunting and Miss Poppet in various stages of development. There was

also a framed picture of "The House"; a tambourine painted with purple

iris by Miss Isabel's own hands; an old bannerette in cross-stitch

pendent from the mantelpiece, a collection of paper mats, shaded from

orange to white, the glass-covered vase of wax flowers which had

attracted Ron's notice, one or two cheap china vases, a pot of musk

placed diametrically in the centre of a wicker table, a sofa, and two

"occasional chairs" gorgeously upholstered in red satin and green plush.