Part 33 (1/2)
”For nine days, no; for the tenth, yes,” Thayer said decidedly. ”We both know that, some time or other, Lorimer is bound to go on another spree.
No; there's no use in being too hard on him. The time has pa.s.sed, if it ever existed, when he was as responsible as you would be, or I. It's in his blood, and he has lost all his nerve to fight it out. But, when that spree comes, if it comes while they are up there, Mrs. Lorimer must have someone to stand back of her. Who is there?”
Bobby shook his head.
”I don't know,” he confessed. ”I would go, if I could; but I can't.”
There was a long silence between the two men. Thayer, sitting at his desk, was absently measuring his blotting pad with a letter, so many envelopes' length this way, so many that. The letter was from the impresario, reminding him that his decision was due, that night, and urging him to accept the offer. At length, Thayer turned around away from the desk, and faced Bobby.
”Is there a hotel near there?” he asked.
”Half a mile away.”
”Open at this season?”
”Yes, there are always cranks and consumptives, you know.”
Thayer faced back again and measured the blotter anew. Then he tossed the letter aside and, rising, walked across to the mantel.
”I think I'll go up there for a little while,” he said briefly.
”Thayer! You can't.”
”Why not?”
”Because you mustn't. It's impossible.”
Thayer mistook his meaning.
”I can't see the impossibility, Dane. Lorimer was--is my friend. I knew him long before I ever heard of Mrs. Lorimer. I was their guest at Monomoy for a month, last summer, too. We both of us know that I can hold Lorimer, when n.o.body else can. I don't pretend to understand it, myself; but the fact remains. All in all, I think I am the best possible person to go.”
His voice was quiet, yet its every accent was final and uncompromising.
Before its dignity, Bobby felt like a rebuked child. He hastened to justify himself.
”I wasn't thinking of that at all, Thayer. The idea would have been an insult both to you and to Beatrix. I know that Beatrix feels she can rely on you to manage Lorimer; but nevertheless it is absolutely out of the question for you to go.”
”Why?”
”Your engagements for the winter.”
”I have made no engagements yet.”
”Is that a fact?”
”As a general rule, I tell the truth,” Thayer answered dryly.
”Well, you are sure to make some.”
”Perhaps. When I do, it will be time enough for me to keep them.”
”But your reputation!” Bobby urged.