Explore "The Navy Eternal" by Bartimeus on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The shadows were lengthening across the smooth lawns and terrace, and the rooks in the elms behind the stable buildings had begun their evening wrangle for roosting-places when the Ford car came rocking and hooting up the avenue.
"Just as well we didn't go to meet 'em," murmured Aughtlone on the threshold of the entrance hall, smiling above his half-rolled cigarette. "I don't see much of the place these days, but I'm expected to hold to speed limits and consider my tenants' nerves on the King's highway when I _am_ here. Lorton, of course, is an outlaw by instinct" -- Lorton was the chauffeur. "He's been enjoying himself. To-morrow I shall be requested to restock the poultry yards of four villages and subscribe largely to the cottage hospital, after his devastating passage."