I don't quite understand this bit of grammar Here's the text: The mess boy had started them already, lifting the bottles out of the canvas cooling bags that sweated wet in the wind that blew through the trees that shaded the tents. 'What had I ought to give them?' Macomber asked. 'A quid would be plenty,' Wilson told him. 'You don't want to spoil them.' 'Will the headman distribute it?' 'Absolutely.' The question is: Why is it "had I ought" ? Does it mean "do I have"? He is talking about now, right? Not about some time ago?my main concern is: is he speaking about the present situation where their are being served at the table and he's asking how much does he have to tip the waiters or is he talking about the past? because previously they went to safari which went bad, and maybe he forgot to tip the gunbearers, so he is asking now