Part 43 (1/2)

Billy preserved his temper with some difficulty. ”Purely for the sake of argument, a.s.sume that I am a person whom she might possibly accept.”

”Can't. There are limits to hypothesis, beyond which discussion is unprofitable. I merely ask you to note how much time and worry you'll be saved if you adopt my suggestion.”

”You'll look a particular fool if I do--and she says yes.”

”Are you quite sure they brought the claret you ordered, Billy?--What's that you said?”

”I'm sure it's the claret, and I'm sure you're an idiot!” Billy crossly retorted.

His journey to London, to say nothing of a decidedly expensive lunch, brought poor Billy no comfort and no enlightenment, since he refused his brother's plan without hesitation. His problem became no less hara.s.sing when brought into contact with Mrs. Belfield's problem at Halton. She also discussed it at lunch, Harry being an absentee, and Andy Hayes the only other guest. She had forgotten by now that a similar question had once arisen about Andy himself; his present position would have made the memory seem ridiculous; it had become indisputably equal to dinner at Halton, even in Mrs. Belfield's most conservative eyes.

”I have written the note you wished me to, my dear,” she remarked to her husband. ”To Miss Flower, you know, for Wednesday night. And I apologized for my informality in not having called, and said that I hoped Miss--Miss--well, the friend, you know, would come too.”

”Thank you, my dear, thank you.” Belfield sounded really grateful; the struggle had, in fact, been rather more severe than he had antic.i.p.ated.

”It's not that I'm a sn.o.b,” the lady went on, now addressing herself to Billy Foot, ”or prejudiced, or in any way illiberal. n.o.body could say that of me. But it's just that I doubt how far it's wise to attempt to mix different sections of society. I mean whether there's not a certain danger in it. You see what I mean, Mr. Foot?”

Belfield winked covertly at Andy; both had some suspicion of Billy's feelings, and were maliciously enjoying the situation.

”Oh yes, Mrs. Belfield, I--er--see what you mean, of course. In ordinary cases there might be--yes--a sort of--well, a sort of danger to--to--well, to something we all value, Mrs. Belfield. But in this case I don't think--”

”So Mr. Belfield says. But then he's always so adventurous.”

Belfield could not repress a sn.i.g.g.e.r; Andy made an unusually prolonged use of his napkin; Billy was rather red in the face. Mrs. Belfield gazed at Billy, not at all understanding his feelings, but thinking that he was looking very warm.

”Well, Harry's engaged!” she added with a sigh of thanksgiving. Billy grew redder still; the other two welcomed an opportunity for open laughter.

”They may laugh, Mr. Foot, but I'm sure your mother would feel as I do.”

A bereavement several years old saved Billy from the suggested complication, but he glared fiercely across the table at Andy, who a.s.sumed, with difficulty, an apologetic gravity.

”All my wife's fears will vanish as soon as she knows the lady,” said Belfield, also anxious to make his peace with Billy.

”I always yield to Mr. Belfield, but you can't deny that it's an experiment, Mr. Foot.” She rose from the table, having defined the position with her usual serene and gentle self-satisfaction.

Billy rose too, announcing that he would finish his cigar in the garden.

His face was still red, and he was not well pleased with his host and Andy. Why will people make our own most reasonable thoughts ridiculous by their silly way of putting them? And why will other stupid people laugh at them when so presented? These reflections accompanied poor Billy as he walked and smoked.

Belfield smiled. ”More sentimental complications! I hope Billy Foot keeps his face better than that when he's in court. Do you think he'll rush on his fate? And what will it be?”

”Oh, I don't know, sir,” Andy answered. ”I really haven't thought about it. I don't think she cares for him in that sort of way, though they're awfully good friends.”

”You seem to manage to keep heart-whole, Andy?”

”Oh, I've no time to do anything else,” he laughed.

”Take care; Cupid resents defiance. I've a notion you stand very well with the lady in question yourself.”