Part 31 (1/2)
”Well-what?.” said Coleman, bristling a trifle.
” Is it true ?”
” Is what true ?”
” Is it true? ” Peter was extremely solemn.
” Say, me bucko,” said Coleman suddenly, ” if you've. come up here to twist the beard of the patriarch, don't you think you are running a chance? ”
”All right. I'll be good,” said Peter, and he sat on the bed. ” But-is it true?
” Is what true? ”
” What the whole hotel is saying.”
] ”I haven't heard the hotel making any remarks lately. Been talking to the other buildings, I sup- pose.”
”Well, I want to tell you that everybody knows that you and Marjory have done gone and got yourselves engaged,” said Peter bluntly.
”And well? ” asked Coleman imperturbably.
” Oh, nothing,” replied Peter, waving his hand.
” Only-I thought it might interest you.”
Coleman was silent for some time. He fingered his papers. At last he burst out joyously. ”And so they know it already, do they? Well-d.a.m.n them- let them know it. But you didn't tell them yourself ? ”
” I ! ” quoth Peter wrathfully. ” No! The minister told us.”
Then Coleman was again silent for a time and Peter Tounley sat on the. bed reflectively looking at the ceiling. ” Funny thing, Marjory 'way over here in Greece, and then you happening over here the way you did.”
” It isn't funny at all.”
” Why isn't it ? ”
” Because,” said Coleman impressively,, ” that is why I came to Greece. It was all planned. See?”
”Whirroo,” exclaimed Peter. ”This here is magic.”
” No magic at all.” Coleman displayed some complacence.
” No magic at all. just pure, plain-- whatever you choose to call it.”
” Holy smoke,” said Peter, admiring the situation.
”Why, this is plum romance, Coleman. I'm blowed if it isn't.”
Coleman was grinning with delight. He took a fresh cigar and his bright eyes looked at Peter through the smoke., ”Seems like it, don't it? Yes. Regular romance. Have a drink, my boy, just to celebrate my good luck. And be patient if I talk a great deal of my-my-future. My head spins with it.” He arose to pace the room flinging out bis arms in a great gesture. ” G.o.d! When I think yesterday was not like to-day I wonder how I stood it.” There was a knock at the door and a waiter left a note in Coleman's hand
”Dear Ruf us:-We are going for a drive this afternoon at three, and mother wishes you to come, if you.
care to. I too wish it, if you care to. Yours, ” MARJORY.”
With a radiant face, Coleman gave the note a little crackling flourish in the air. ” Oh, you don't know what life is, kid.”
” S-steady the Blues,” said Peter Tounley seriously.