Part 23 (1/2)
”You look just like a duke. But where are you going, and why all this splendour?” asked Patricia.
Mr. Triggs beamed upon her. ”I'm glad you like it, me dear. I was thinking about you when I ordered it.”
Patricia looked up and smiled. There was something to her strangely lovable in this old man's simplicity.
”I come to take you to the Zoo,” he announced.
”To the Zoo?” cried Patricia in unfeigned surprise.
Mr. Triggs nodded, hugely enjoying the effect of the announcement.
”Now run away and get your hat on.”
”But I couldn't possibly go, I've got heaps of things to do,” protested Patricia. ”Why Mrs. Bonsor would be----”
”Never you mind about 'Ettie; I'll manage 'er. She'll----”
”I thought I heard your voice, father.”
Both Patricia and Mr. Triggs started guiltily; they had not heard Mrs.
Bonsor enter the room.
”'Ullo, 'Ettie!” said Mr. Triggs, recovering himself. ”I just come to take this young lady to the Zoo.”
”Do I look as bad as all that?” asked Patricia, conscious that her effort was a feeble one.
”Don't you worry about your looks, me dear,” said Mr. Triggs, ”I'll answer for them. Now go and get your 'at on.”
”But I really couldn't, Mr. Triggs,” protested Patricia.
”I'm afraid it's impossible for Miss Brent to go to-day, father,” said Mrs. Bonsor evenly; but flas.h.i.+ng a vindictive look at Patricia.
”Why?” enquired Mr. Triggs.
”I happen to know,” continued Mrs. Bonsor, ”that Arthur is very anxious for some work that Miss Brent is doing for him.”
”What work?” enquired Mr. Triggs.
”Oh--er--something about----” Mrs. Bonsor looked appealingly at Patricia; but Patricia had no intention of helping her out.
”Well! if you can't remember what it is, it can't matter much, and I've set my mind on going to the Zoo this afternoon.”
”Very well, father. If you will wait a few minutes I will go with you myself.”
”You!” exclaimed Mr. Triggs in consternation. ”You and me at the Zoo!
Why you said once the smell made you sick.”
”Father! how can you suggest such a thing?”
”But you did,” persisted Mr. Triggs.