She's going to Florida for the winter with her American friends and I thought I'd look you up before I followed.

I've news, but it will keep until you have had some food." Had Thirlwell not been an important man, he would probably have had to wait until next morning for a meal, but the landlord's wife bustled about and supper was soon on the table.

There were no other guests, and when Thirlwell's appetite was satisfied he and Allott pulled their chairs to the stove.

The floor was not covered, the rough board walls were cracked, and a tarry liquid dripped from the bend where the stovepipe pierced the ceiling.
"The hotel is not luxurious and they have very crude ideas about cookery, but they tried to suit my fastidious taste when I told them I was a friend of yours," Allott remarked.

"However, I don't suppose you are remarkably comfortable at the mine, and you can change all this when you like." Thirlwell looked puzzled and Allott resumed: "You haven't opened your mail yet and I didn't suggest it, because I wanted to talk to you first.
I wonder whether it will be a shock to hear that Sir James is dead ?" "I'm sorry," Thirlwell answered.