Part 24 (1/2)

Spike (starting). ”Who?”

Hermione. ”Mr. Geoffrey. How did you happen to meet each other?”

Another pause, while Spike stands frowning in perplexed thought.

Spike. ”Where did you say the cloth was?”

Hermione. ”In the sideboard drawer. How long have you known him?”

Spike (beginning to lay the cloth feverishly). ”Oh, a goodish time. Say, Hermy, he sure likes your name a whole lot!”

Hermione. ”Oh!” (A very small pause.) ”Likes my name, does he?”

Spike. ”He sure does. He told me so.”

Hermione. ”Oh!” (Another small pause.) ”Just what did he say, boy dear?”

Spike. ”He said it was Greek an' very beautiful, an' then I said it kind of fitted you because you were aces up on the face an' figure question.”

A rush of petticoats, and enter Hermione, flushed and laughing.

”You dear boy!” she cried, ”for that you shall be kissed!” which he was forthwith; after which she turned to the mirror to smooth back a s.h.i.+ning tress of hair--that same rebellious curl that glistened above her fine, black eyebrow.

”Where did you say you first met him--Mr. Geoffrey?” she enquired suddenly, still busied with the rebellious curl. Spike started, and glanced uneasily at her shapely back.

”Say, Hermy,” said he, a little huskily, ”have you got anything for supper?”

”Not much, dear, I'm afraid.”

”That's a pity!”

”Why?”

”Oh, because I asked him in to supper.”

”You asked Mr. Geoffrey--here?” she gasped.

”Surest thing you know. Y' see, I thought you was staying over at Englewood.”

”Oh, Arthur!” she sighed. ”And there are only two wretched little chops!

And not a bit of b.u.t.ter! And the rent's due to-morrow--I can't spare a cent--and me in this shabby old gown! and you broke the best teapot.”

”Sounds kind of gay an' festive!” sighed Spike ruefully. ”But don't worry about the eats, dear. Geoff won't mind, an' he'll never notice your old gown--”

”He seems to notice a great deal,” said Hermione doubtfully as she hastily untied the big ap.r.o.n, ”and besides--oh, gracious goodness!”

she cried, as a knock sounded at the front door, ”you must let him in, Arthur--and don't let him know I'm changing my gown!” Saying which, she vanished into her bedroom while Spike hastened to the door.

”Why--h.e.l.lo, Tony!” he exclaimed, ”what's wrong now?”

”My lil Pietro,” cried the Italian excitedly, ”he no sleep--he burn-a burn-a all-a da time,--all-a da time cry! You tell-a you sis--she come-a like-a da las' time den he no cry-a--” But here Tony broke off to flourish his hat and bow gracefully as he caught sight of Hermione herself. ”Ah, Signorina!” he cried, ”my lil Pietro he seeck. You please-a come see my lil Pietro? He flush-a he cry--he all-a da fire! he burn-a, burn-a, like-a da fire! You so good, so generosa--you come see my lil Pietro?”