Part 20 (1/2)
”Tell me everything you've done,” he insisted.
While she tried to satisfy this comprehensive order, Monty was a.s.suring Nora how delighted he was to see her.
”It's bully to find you here,” he said, shaking her hand. ”I nearly hugged you.”
”Well, why didn't you?” she retorted.
”I've half a mind to,” he said, stretching out his arms; but she drew back.
”No. Not now. It's cold. Hugs must be spontaneous.”
”Where's Ethel?” Mrs. Harrington called to her.
”Upstairs, changing. You see we didn't think you could get in so early and you weren't expected for another half-hour. She ought to be down in a minute or so.”
”Why didn't you come down and meet us, old man?” Monty asked of his host.
”Wife's orders,” Harrington responded promptly.
”It's such a nuisance to have people meet one at the pier,” Alice explained. ”I'm sure Monty was glad you weren't there to witness his humiliation. He was held up for smuggling and narrowly escaped deportation.”
”Oh, Monty,” Nora cried, ”how lovely! Was it something for me? Don't scowl when I ask a perfectly reasonable question.”
”It wasn't,” Monty said wretchedly. He had in his joy at meeting her forgotten all about smuggling and now the whole thing loomed up again.
”I've got half Long Island in my eyes, and if you don't mind, Alice, I'll go and wash up.”
”And you won't tell me anything about your crime?” Nora pouted.
”Meet me in the PaG.o.da in five minutes,” he whispered, ”and I will. It's mighty nice to see a pretty girl again who can talk American.”
”As if men cared what girls say,” she observed sagely. ”It's the way they look that counts.”
When Monty was gone she strolled back to where Alice was sitting.
”Did you have a good trip?” she demanded.
”Bully,” Alice answered her. ”Steven Denby's most attractive and mysterious.”
”Denby!” Harrington repeated. ”Why, I'd clean forgotten about Denby.
Where is he?”
”The limousine was so full of Monty and me and my hand-baggage that we sent him on in the other car. He had to send some telegrams, so he didn't overtake us till we were this side of Jamaica, where they promptly had a blow-out. He won't be long.”
”What Mr. Denby is he?” Nora asked with interest.
”Yes,” Michael asked, ”do I know him? I don't think I ever heard of him.”
”Nor did I,” his wife told him. ”Perhaps that's what makes him so mysterious.”