Part 33 (1/2)

”Of course I don't mind,” she said. ”Are you going into the country?”

”Ye-es.” He seemed about to add something further, but changed his mind. Hal, with a little inward chuckle, divined by his manner he must be going somewhere with a lady, and she was pleased, as she liked a man to have woman friends, believing they made him more broad-minded and tolerant and generous-hearted if well-chosen.

She asked no further question, however, and Dudley commenced to whistle softly as he drew on his boots. Evidently his mind was somewhat relieved after the sentence was said.

So now it remained to discover d.i.c.k's att.i.tude. She could, of course, quite easily put him off; but she was not quite prepared to do this of her own initiative, as he had so generously placed all his Sundays at her disposal. On Friday, however, he was speaking to her through the telephone.

”I say, Hal, you're coming to the Footer match to-morrow, aren't you?”

”Yes, of course I am. Why?...”

”Well, it's just this way. I was going to motor the pater to Aunt Judith's, and I forgot all about it. He wants me to take him on Sunday instead. What shall I do?... Would you care to come too?”

Hal had not the smallest wish to go to Aunt Judith's, who belonged to the old school, and disapproved in a most outspoken manner of lady-clerks of every sort and description. It was a constant grievance to her, when she set eyes on Hal,that she did not gratefully accept 20 as secretary to a well-known, interesting editor.

In consequence, Hal encountered her as little as possible, accepted gratefully her interesting, easy billet, and consigned the imaginary young children to a Hades peopled with nursery governesses.

”Awfully sweet and good and kind of you, d.i.c.ky dear,” she called back to him mockingly, ”but I think I'll practise a little self-denial this time, and stay away.”

”Odd you should say that,” he laughed, ”because I consider I'm practising a little self-denial in going. What shall you do with yourself? Will Dudley be at home?”

”No; he's going somewhere for the day, that has a nervous, apologetic sort of air about it. I didn't press for particulars, but I'm dying to know. I can't believe he would really take a gay young person out, and yet, judging by his manner, it might be a real flyer from Daly's.”

”Good old Dudley!... Then I suppose you will go to Lorraine?”

”Yes, I daresay I shall. Good-bye, see you Sat.u.r.day.”

Hal returned to her work in a meditative mood. She was beginning to wonder why she had not had any message from Sir Edwin all the week.

Had he changed his mind, or had he possibly forgotten? If he rang her up presently what was she going to say?

The notion that he had perhaps forgotten was not pleasing; and yet, with all he must have to think about during the week, it was equally not surprising. As a matter of fact, it had been a most trying week for all Ministers.

The party was emphatically growing into disfavour, and all brains had to be utilised to find the most efficacious remedy. Sir Edwin had been very useful in his suggestions, for he had had considerable practice in getting what he wanted by artfulness if no straighter mode offered.

His suggestions to His Majestu's Cabinet were masterpieces of political trickery, and their adoption was a foregone conclusion in spite of the Ministers who raised objections. The party had to win back favour somehow, and at any rate his were the best plans that offered.

But all through the stirring meetings of the week he never once forgot Hal. His silence was merely an adaptation of the policy he was urging upon his colleagues. If I leave her alone till Friday she will get piqued,” was his thought, ”and then she will come.”

Accordingly, soon after the luncheon hour he rang her up.

”Hullo,” he called. ”At last I have got a moment to speak to you.”

”What has happened to all the other moments?” she asked.

”We've had a very anxious, worrying week in the House. I've scarcely had time to get my meals. You surely didn't suppose I had forgotten you - did you?”

”I didn't suppose either way. It didn't matter.”

The man at the other end of the wire smiled openly in his empty room.