They departed after
luncheon, the host at the wheel. I had his account of such following
events as I did not myself observe.
"Our country club," he observed early in the drive. "No one there, of
course. You'd never believe the trouble I've had----"
"Jolly good club," replied his lordship. "Drive back that way."
"Back that way," it appeared, would take them by the detached villa of
the Klondike person.
"Stop here," directed his lordship. "Shan't detain you a moment."
This was at two-thirty of a fair afternoon. I am able to give but the
bare facts, yet I must assume that the emotions of Belknap-Jackson as
he waited there during the ensuing two hours were of a quite
distressing nature. As much was intimated by several observant
townspeople who passed him. He was said to be distrait; to be smoking
his cigarettes furiously.
At four-thirty his lordship reappeared. With apparent solicitude he
escorted the Klondike person, fetchingly gowned in a street costume of
the latest mode. They chatted gayly to the car.
"Hope I've not kept you waiting, old chap," said his lordship
genially. "Time slips by one so. You two met, of course, course!" He
bestowed his companion in the tonneau and ensconced himself beside
her.
"Drive," said he, "to your goods shops, draper's, chemist's--where was
it?"
"To the Central Market," responded the lady in bell-like tones, "then
to the Red Front store, and to that dear little Japanese shop, if he
doesn't mind.
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