however, after he got to know hughie better, he liked him quite as much for his bright, cheerful spirits, and his generous, careless nature, and had asked him to come to see him whenever he liked.

여기서 had asked 를 왜 대과거로 쓴 건지 이해가 안가네요... 어떻게 이해해야할지 자세히 설명좀 부탁드릴께요..