Part 40 (1/2)

”There is nothing,” replied the visitor, ”that I should like at this present moment better than a quid; but I'm afraid it's my duty to stay.

I shan't do n.o.body any 'arm, beyond taking a inventory of the furniture.

You'll find me quite a confidential family friend in a day or two, I should n't wonder. Oh, dear, 'ere's another of 'em coming to 'ave a go!”

He closed his eyes resignedly. Before him stood Tilly--small, slim, white to the lips, with all her world tottering on the brink of the abyss. In her hands she held a cigar-box.

”What is your name?” she asked.

”Surname,” replied the broker's man pedantically, ”Stillbottle.

Christian ditto, Samuel. Net result, Samuel Stillbottle.”

”Have a cigar, Mr. Stillbottle,” said Tilly, with a ghost of a smile.

Mr. Stillbottle helped himself without comment. He was a man for whom life held few surprises. ”Thank you. But I won't go, mind you,” was all he said.

Next moment Tilly motioned him to a chair beside the table, and set the decanter and a gla.s.s beside him. ”Have something to drink, Mr.

Stillbottle,” she said.

”I shall be pleased to do so,” replied Mr. Stillbottle graciously.

”Without prejudice, of course,” he added, filling his gla.s.s.

By this time the others, astonished and interrogative, had gathered round Tilly.

”Tilly,” burst out Percy, ”what's the good? He won't go--don't you think it!”

”Young man,” corroborated Mr. Stillbottle, ”you are right. I won't.

You 've done it in one.”

Tilly took an arm of Percy and another of her mother and drew both in the direction of the sofa. Her breath came fast.

”Listen,” she said rapidly--”you too, Dad! We _will_ have our tea-party.

We won't throw up a single item in the programme. We'll entertain the Mainwarings, and we'll show them that we know how to do things in proper style, and we'll make them all enjoy themselves--even Sylvia--and I'll get my d.i.c.ky yet!”

She paused, and surveyed her mystified audience with s.h.i.+ning eyes.

”But, Sis,” enquired the dubious Percy, indicating the fully occupied Mr. Stillbottle, ”what about Rockefeller over there?”

The indomitable Tilly laughed.

”He is our old family butler!” she said simply.

CHAPTER XIX

SIDELIGHTS ON A PUBLIC CHARACTER

Mr. Samuel Stillbottle, notebook in hand, with a look of professional severity upon his pinched features, slowly circ.u.mnavigated the drawing-room, making an inventory of the furniture. He was followed, step for step, by the deeply interested Caution and Cure, who, finding the bonds of discipline unusually relaxed, owing to the preoccupation of their elders, had seized an early opportunity of escaping from the region belowstairs in which they were supposed to be enjoying their afternoon siesta, in order to pursue their acquaintance with the gentleman whom they had christened, on sight, ”the funny man.” They had encountered Mr. Stillbottle in the kitchen, and had conceived a liking for him at once. As appraisers of character their point of view was circ.u.mscribed and their judgment immature; but Mr. Stillbottle's performance at dinner had won their unqualified respect and admiration.