"Oh, it's an absurd arrangement altogether," he continued, quite
angrily. "I can't imagine what our old man could have been
thinking of when he made it. As I have said to him, over and over
again, 'Have a fixed time, and let everybody stick to it--say four
o'clock in summer, and six in winter. Then one would know what one
was about.'"
"How do you manage when there isn't any cock handy?" I inquired.
He was on the point of replying, when again he started and
listened. This time I distinctly heard Mr. Bowles's cock, next
door, crow twice.
"There you are," he said, rising and reaching for his hat; "that's
the sort of thing we have to put up with. What IS the time?"
I looked at my watch, and found it was half-past three.
"I thought as much," he muttered. "I'll wring that blessed bird's
neck if I get hold of it." And he prepared to go.
"If you can wait half a minute," I said, getting out of bed, "I'll
go a bit of the way with you."
"It's very good of you," he rejoined, pausing, "but it seems unkind
to drag you out."
"Not at all," I replied; "I shall like a walk." And I partially
dressed myself, and took my umbrella; and he put his arm through
mine, and we went out together.
Just by the gate we met Jones, one of the local constables.
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