Part 25 (1/2)
”All O.K. again?” he inquired, retaining Eileen's hand in his.
”Thank you--quite. Are you really going to dine with us? Are you sure you want to? Oh, I know you've given up some very gay dinner somewhere--”
”I was going to dine with Boots when Nina rescued me. Poor Boots!--I think I'll telephone--”
”Telephone him to come here!” begged Drina. ”Would he come? Oh, please--I'd love to have him.”
”I wish you would ask him,” said Eileen; ”it's been so lonely and stupid to lie in bed with a red nose and fishy eyes and pains in one's back and limbs. Please do let us have a party.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”'Two pillows,' said Drina sweetly.”]
So Selwyn went to the telephone, and presently returned, saying that Boots was overwhelmed and would be present at the festivities; and Drina, enraptured, ordered flowers to be brought from the dining-room and a large table set for four, with particular pomp and circ.u.mstance.
Mr. Archibald Lansing arrived very promptly--a short, stocky young man of clean and powerful build, with dark, keen eyes always alert, and humorous lips ever on the edge of laughter under his dark moustache.
His manner with Drina was always delightful--a mixture of self-repressed idolatry and busily nave belief in a thorough understanding between them to exclude Selwyn from their company.
”This Selwyn fellow here!” he exclaimed. ”I warned him over the 'phone we'd not tolerate him, Drina. I explained to him very carefully that you and I were dining together in strictest privacy--”
”He begged so hard,” said Eileen. ”Will somebody place an extra pillow for Drina?”
They seized the same pillow fiercely, confronting each other; ma.s.sacre appeared imminent.
”_Two_ pillows,” said Drina sweetly; and extermination was averted. The child laughed happily, covering one of Boots's hands with both of hers.
”So you've left the service, Mr. Lansing?” began Eileen, lying back and looking smilingly at Boots.
”Had to, Miss Erroll. Seven millionaires ran into my quarters and chased me out and down Broadway into the offices of the Westchester Air Line Company. Then these seven merciless multi-millionaires in buckram bound and gagged me, stuffed my pockets full of salary, and forced me to typewrite a fearful and secret oath to serve them for five long, weary years. That's a sample of how the wealthy grind the noses of the poor, isn't it, Drina?”
The child slipped her hand from his, smiling uncertainly.
”You don't mean all that, do you?”
”Indeed I do, sweetheart.”
”Are you not a soldier lieutenant any more, then?” she inquired, horribly disappointed.
”Only a private in the workman's battalion, Drina.”
”I don't care,” retorted the child obstinately; ”I like you just as much.”
”Have you really done it?” asked Selwyn as the first course was served.
”_I?_ No. _They?_ Yes. We'll probably lose the Philippines now,” he added gloomily; ”but it's my thankless country's fault; you all had a chance to make me dictator, you know. Miss Erroll, do you want a second-hand sword? Of course there are great dents in it--”
”I'd rather have those celebrated boots,” she replied demurely; and Mr.
Lansing groaned.
”How tall you're growing, Drina,” remarked Selwyn.