Part 5 (1/2)
”How did you coot to provide Le Mire with a veil,” said I by way of answer
Harry looked at reed--”of course By Jove! that was stupid of us”
Whereupon Le Mire laughed with such frank enjoyment of the boy's simplicity that I couldn't help but join her
”And now,” said Harry, ”I suppose you want to know--”
”I want to know nothing--at present,” I interrupted ”It's nearly six o'clock, and since ten last night I've been on top of the most perfectly imbecile donkey ever devised by nature I want breakfast”
Velvet lids were upraised from Le Mire's eyes ”Here?” she queried
I pointed to the place--extreive it the title of inn--where s from a tin chi black coffee before us Harry was bubbling over with gaiety and good will, evidently occasioned by my unexpected friendliness, while Le Mire sat for the most part silent It was easy to see that she was more than a little disturbed by azed at her with real wonder and increasing ad; she had had no sleep, and had just finished a ht hours; but I had never seen her so beautiful
Our host approached, and I turned to hilance
”Aigs,” said he, with an air of finality
”Ah!” said Le Mire ”I want them--let's see--au beurre noire, if you please”
The le word: ”Fried”
”Fried?” said she doubtfully
”Only fried,” was the inexorable answer ”How many?”
Le Mire turned to ain to the surly host with a sruffness
”Well, then, fr-r-ied!” said she, rolling the ”r” deliciously ”And youme five, if you please”
It appeared that I was not the only hungry one We ate leisurely and smoked more leisurely still, and started on our return journey a little before eight o'clock
It was late in the afternoon e arrived at the Antlers The trip was accohly exhausted and Harry was anything but fresh That is the worst of : the exaltation at the summit hardly pays you for the reaction at the foot We entered the broad portico with frank sighs of relief
I said so them at dinner and left for h spirits and took great delight in everything that was said, both witty and dull, while Le Mire positively sparkled
She made her impression; not a lances as she sat seely unconscious of all but Harry andto the woman who carries a room for him
I had intended to have a talk with Harry after dinner, but I postponed it; thein the salon, but ere all too tired to take advantage of it; and after listening to one or two nu aside the iht our beds