Part 52 (1/2)
”I want to see Mr. Winfield,” said Mamie.
Mr. Penway, for it was he, gave her the approving glance which your man of taste and discrimination does not fail to bestow upon youth and beauty and bawled over his shoulder--
”Kirk!”
Kirk came down the pa.s.sage. He was looking brown and healthy. He was in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves.
”Oh, Mr. Winfield. I'm in such trouble.”
”Why, Mamie! What's the matter? Come in.”
Mamie followed him into the studio, eluding Mr. Penway, whose arm was hovering in the neighbourhood of her waist.
”Sit down,” said Kirk. ”What's the trouble? Have you been trying to get at me before? We've been down to Long Beach.”
”A delightful spot,” observed Mr. Penway, who had followed. ”Sandy, but replete with squabs. Why didn't you come earlier? We could have taken you.”
”May I talk privately with you, Mr. Winfield?”
”Sure.”
Kirk looked at Mr. Penway, who nodded agreeably.
”Outside for Robert?” he inquired amiably. ”Very well. There is no b.u.t.tinsky blood in the Penway family. Let me just fix myself a high-ball and borrow one of your cigars and I'll go and sit in the car and commune with nature. Take your time.”
”Just a moment, Mamie,” said Kirk, when he had gone. He picked up a telegram which lay on the table. ”I'll read this and see if it's important, and then we'll get right down to business. We only got back a moment before you arrived, so I'm a bit behind with my correspondence.”
As he read the telegram a look of astonishment came into his face. He sat down and read the message a second time. Mamie waited patiently.
”Good Lord!” he muttered.
A sudden thought struck Mamie.
”Mr. Winfield, is it from Steve?” she said.
Kirk started, and looked at her incredulously.
”How on earth did you know? Good Heavens! Are you in this, Mamie, too?”
Mamie handed him her note. He read it without a word. When he had finished he sat back in his chair, thinking.
”I thought Steve might have telegraphed to you,” said Mamie.
Kirk roused himself from his thoughts.
”Was this what you came to see me about?”
”Yes.”
”What does Ruth--what do they think of it--up there?”