Part 38 (2/2)
MARGOT: ”It's very wrong to bribe the police, Peter!”
PETER: ”I'ive him my Airedale terrier”
MARGOT: ”What! That brute that killed the lady's lap-dog?”
PETER: ”The very same!”
MARGOT: ”God help poor Wood!”
Peter was so elated with this shattering escapade that a week after--on the occasion of another row, in which I pointed out that he was theunder ht Afraid lest he should wake own to open the front door, but nothing would induce the chain to move It was a newly acquired habit of the servants, started by Henry Hill fro a hopeless ave it up and went to the openin the library I begged hiive him, and I told him that my papa had only just retired to bed
Peter, unmoved, ordered me to take the flower-pots off the -sill, or he would knock them down and make a horrible noise, which would wake the whole house After I had refused to do this, he said he would very likely break his neck when he juainst thefra an explosion of temper, I weakly removed the flower-pots and watched his acrobatic feat with delight
We had not been talking on the sofa for more than five minutes when I heard a shuffle of feet outside the library-door I got up with lightning rapidity and put out the two candles on the writing-table with the pal noiselessly to Peter's side on the sofa, where we sat in black darkness, The door opened anda bedroom candle in his hand; he proceeded to walk stealthily round the roo was in theand had nothing behind it but tile curtains He held his candle high and close to every picture in turn and, putting his head forward, scanned them with tenderness and love I saw Peter's idiotic hat and stick under the Gainsborough and could not resist nudging him as ”The Ladies Erne and Dillon” were slowly approached A candle held near one's face is theshoulders and anaeh ladies,to hio so sested that I should walk aith him from the ball and try an American trotter which had been lent to hiht be rather fun, so alked down Grosvenor Street into Park Lane; and there stood the buggy under a lamp American trotters always appear to be misshapen; they are like coloured prints that are not quite in drawing and have never attracted me
After we had placed ourselves firy, Peter said to the o, please!”
And go he did, with a curious rapid, swaying waddle There was no traffic and we turned into the Edgware Road towards Hendon at a great pace, but Peter was a bad driver and after a little tiht it was time the ”damned” horse was made to stop
”I'm told the only way to stop an American trotter,” said he, ”is to hit him over the head” At this I took the whip out of the socket and threw it into the road
Peter,he would jump out I did not take the smallest notice of this threat, but slackened the reins, after which ent quite slowly I need hardly say Peter did not juo back and look for the whip
This was the last thing I intended to do, so e turned I leant back in ht, and we flew hole word
I was an excellent driver, but that night had taxed all my powers and, e pulled up at the corner of Grosvenor Square, I ached in every liether at the front door; and after he had handed me down to the pavement I felt rather aard: I had no desire to break the silence, but neither did I want to take away Peter's coat, which I earing, so I said tentatively:
”Shall I give you your covert-coat?”
PETER: ”Don't be childish!+ How can you walk back to the front door in your ball-dress? If any one happened to be looking out of the hat would they think?”
This was reallyit firmly on his arm, said:
”Most people, if they are sensible, are sound asleep at this tiht, but I thank you all the same for your consideration”
We turned testily away from each other and I walked home alone
When I reached our front doore He askedin the streets inI told hily never to buy an American trotter; he told me that my reputation was ruined, that his was also and that my behaviour would kill ly that I had not really enjoyed ain By this ti over the staircase in her dressing-gown She said in a pleading voice:
”Pray do not agitate yourself, Charlie You've done a very wrong action, Margot! You really ought to have more consideration for your father: no one kno impressionable he isPlease tell Mr Flower that we do not approve of him at all! ”