Part 23 (1/2)
”Was it some one you knew, then?”
”No. He told me on the way in.”
”Am I to gather that you returned to London alone, in a motor-car, with a perfect stranger?”
”I'm afraid you are.”
”Why didn't d.i.c.k come with you? Surely if he takes you out for the day he might at least see you safely home. I never heard of such proceedings in my life. The man might have been a positive blackguard.
Had you any idea who he was?”
”No, none; but what's the use of making a fuss! It's all right now, and I'm safely at home; which is surely better than being in some weird village all night, and you wondering what on earth had become of me.”
”That is not the question. It's the whole circ.u.mstance from beginning to end. I consider d.i.c.k's behaviour most reprehensible.”
”He couldn't leave his car alone there in the middle of a Kentish high road. He had to stay somewhere near.”
”I think he should have considered you of more importance than the car.
To let you return alone, at that hour, with a perfect stranger, is the most unheard of proceeding. I shall certainly tell d.i.c.k what I think of him.”
”It wasn't d.i.c.k's fault,” loyally. ”I just took the matter into my own hands and came. d.i.c.k had nothing to do with it. In fact, I insisted upon his remaining behind.”
”Oh, of course you would. You only seem to be happy when you are flying in the face of some convention or other. But d.i.c.k is older than you, and he knows my views on these matters. He owed it to me to see you safely home.”
”But since I am safely home!...” obstinately.
”You very well might not have been. What the stranger himself must think of you I don't know. Have you any idea who he was?”
”Yes. Sir Edwin Crathie?”
”Sir Edwin Crathie! Do you mean the Cabinet Minister?”
”So he said.”
”And did you tell him who you were?”
Again there was a gleam under the lowered lashes.
”I did; but I can't say he either recognised our historie name or seemed much impressed. I really don't believe he had ever heard of me.”
Dudley refused to smile. Instead the frown deepened on his face.
”That is probably just as well. Your actions of late cannot be said to be entirely to your credit. What is this tale about Thursday night? I met St. Quintin's father with Uncle Bruce this morning in the Park.
You told me Quin's aunt was going to chaperone you. Did she or did she not?”
”I told you Lady Bounce was going to chaperone me. Lady Bounce _did_ chaperone me.”
”Is Lady Bounce Quin's aunt?”
”That depends.” Hal pushed away her chair, wis.h.i.+ng vaguely that fathers and uncles would mind their own business. Either incident alone she could have coped with, but it was a distinct imposition to expect her to manage both at once, and on Sunday night into the bargain.