Part 29 (1/2)

Coote, speaking out of a darkness which he was illuminating strangely with efforts to strike a match, said that it was beautiful. He could not have _wished_ Kipps a better fortune....

He lit a cigarette, and Kipps was moved to do the same, with a sacramental expression. Presently speech flowed more freely.

Coote began to praise Helen and her mother and brother. He talked of when ”it” might be, he presented the thing as concrete and credible.

”It's a county family, you know,” he said. ”She is connected, you know, with the Beaupres family--you know Lord Beaupres.”

”No!” said Kipps, ”reely!”

”Distantly, of course,” said Coote. ”Still----”

He smiled a smile that glimmered in the twilight.

”It's too much,” said Kipps, overcome. ”It's so all like that.”

Coote exhaled. For a time Kipps listened to Helen's praises and matured a point of view.

”I say, Coote,” he said. ”What ought I to do now?”

”What do you mean?” said Coote.

”I mean about calling on 'er and all that.”

He reflected. ”Naturally, I want to do it all right.”

”Of course,” said Coote.

”It would be awful to go and do something--now--all wrong.”

Coote's cigarette glowed as he meditated. ”You must call, of course,” he decided. ”You'll have to speak to Mrs. Wals.h.i.+ngham.”

”'Ow?” said Kipps.

”Tell her you mean to marry her daughter.”

”I dessay she knows,” said Kipps, with defensive penetration.

Coote's head was visible, shaking itself judiciously.

”Then there's the ring,” said Kipps. ”What 'ave I to do about that?”

”What ring do you mean?”

”'Ngagement Ring. There isn't anything at all about that in 'Manners and Rules of Good Society'--not a word.”

”Of course you must get something--tasteful. Yes.”

”What sort of a ring?”

”Something nace. They'll show you in the shop.”