Part 13 (2/2)
I said I would.”
”Thursday is the night I have to go and see Dr. Renshaw”; and Ethel glanced round with a shadow of vexation on her face.
”I know it is, but you will not be very late.” She paused, then added, ”I do not get so many treats that I can afford to miss one.”
”Dudley could probably have gone any other night. Did you ask him?”
Ethel spoke a little quickly, and Doris looked ready with a sharp retort, when Basil interposed.
”Thursday will be all right, chum. Doris won't leave before six and you will get in by half-past seven. I shall have nearly two whole hours in which to do any silly thing I like, without getting scolded”; and his smile was very winsome.
”I don't like you to have to wait so long for your dinner. You always get faint. Perhaps Dr. Renshaw would see me another evening... I -”
”Oh, nonsense, chum” - in the same cheery voice - ”I'll have a tin of sardines, and eat one every ten minutes until you come.”
Ethel let the matter drop, seeing it would please him best, and Doris retired to their room with a slightly sulky air.
”There always seems to be something to damp it if I am to have a treat,” was her complaint.
”I don't think you will feel damped after you start,” Ethel replied quietly, and they went to bed in silence.
CHAPTER IX
When Dudley got back he found Hal waiting up for him, with an expression of s.h.i.+ning eagerness on her face.
”Oh, Dudley, such fun!” she began, ”Lorraine has got the royal box for me for Thursday evening. We must have a little dinner-party. Who shall we take? It holds four comfortably, and two men could stand at the back.”
”Thursday evening!” looking a little taken aback. ”I am engaged.”
”Engaged! Well, you must put it off. Why didn't you tell me? I thought you said you had any night free except Friday.”
”I only made the engagement this evening.”
”Are you going to see Basil again? He won't mind being put off.”
”No. It isn't Basil.”
”What then?”
Dudley turned away, threw his gloves carelessly down on a sidetable, and picked up some letters.
”I asked Doris to go to the White City with me.”
”You... you asked Doris to go to the White City?... ” she repeated incredulously. ”What in the world for?”
”To see it, of course. What else should I ask her for?”
<script>