He said he had been up early, and had had his breakfast already, but he watched her trying to eat while he moved about collecting things for her journey, and he poured out the coffee, and begged her to drink it.

While he was there, Chen Sing brought in the basket of food he must have ordered for the buggy, and there was Fo Wung too, the gardener, with fresh lettuce and water-cress, and a supply of cool, green cabbage leaves in which he had packed a few early flat-stone peaches, and some Brazilian cherries.
Lady Bridget thanked them with the ghost of her old sweetness, and they promised to have the garden 'velly good--TAI YAT number one' and to 'make plenty nice dishes,' for the Boss during her absence.
While they stood at the French window, McKeith filled flasks with wine and spirits, and packed quinine and different medicines he had prepared in case of her needing them.

Then after shewing her the different bottles, he took the supply out to Ninnis to be put in the buggy.
Everything was ready now--the buggy packed, the hood unslung so that it could be put up and down in protection against sun or rain--this last alas! an improbable eventuality.

Alexander and Roxalana were champing their bits.

Ninnis in a new cabbage-tree hat and clean puggaree, wearing the light coat he only put on when in the society of ladies he wished to honour, was standing by the front wheels examining the lash of his driving-whip.