Part 36 (1/2)
It's not being able to have it that's the bad thing.”
”So I have found,” said Peter gravely.
Lispenard laughed heartily, as he sipped his ”Court France.” ”I wish,”
he said, ”that a lot of people, whose lives are given to nothing else, could have heard you say that, in that tone of voice. You don't spell Society with a capital, do you?”
”Possibly,” said Peter, ”if I had more capital, I should use some on society.”
”Good,” said Lispenard. ”Heavens,” he said to himself, ”he's made a joke! Cousin Anneke will never believe it.”
He told her the next day, and his statement proved correct.
”I know you made the joke,” she said. ”He didn't.”
”And why shouldn't he joke as well as I?”
”It doesn't suit him.”
”Why not?”
”Parlor tricks are all right in a lap-dog, but they only belittle a mastiff.”
Lispenard laughed good-naturedly. He was used to his cousin's. .h.i.ts at his do-nothingness, and rather enjoyed them. ”He is a big beast, isn't he? But he's a nice fellow. We had such a good time over Le Grand's etchings last night. Didn't get away till after one. It's really a pleasure to find a man who can smoke and keep quiet, and yet enjoy things strongly. Le Grand was taken with him too. We just fitted each other.”
”I'm glad you took him. I'm going to give him some society.”
”Did you ever hear the story of Dr. Brown?”
”No. What is it?”
”A certain widow announced to her son that she was to marry Dr. Brown.
'Bully for you, Ma,' said the son, 'Does Dr. Brown know it?'”
”What do you mean?”
Lispenard laughed. ”Does Stirling know it? Because I advise you to tell him before you decide to do anything with him. He's not easy to drive.”
”Of course he'll be glad to meet nice people.”
”Try him.”
”What do you mean?”
”I mean that Peter Stirling won't give a raparee for all the society you can give him.”
”You don't know what you are talking about.”
But Lispenard was right. Peter had enjoyed the dinner at Miss De Voe's and the evening at Mr. Le Grand's. Yet each night on reaching his rooms, he had sat long hours in his straight office chair, in the dark. He was thinking of what Miss Leroy had told him of--of--He was not thinking of ”Society.”