Part 9 (1/2)

”I would be delighted to join you for tea,” I said.

Mr. Vincey's sad gray eyes lit up. They were most expressive optics.

”Please yourself,” Emerson grunted. ”I have other things to do. Good day, Vincey.”

He opened the bedroom door and let out a profane exclamation. The exclamation- though not the profanity- was echoed by Mr. Vincey. ”Oh, dear! Was Anubis in that room as well?”

”It appears he was,” I replied, studying the crumpled linens and scattered papers with some chagrin. ”Never mind, Mr. Vincey, the safragi and his friends did more damage than Anubis, I expect. They will-”

”Curse it!” shouted Emerson. He slammed the door.

I gathered up my handbag and my parasol, and after directing the safragi to tidy the rooms, I preceded Mr. Vincey into the hall.

”I need not apologize for my husband, I believe,” I said. ”You know his brusque manner conceals a heart of gold.”

”Oh, I know Emerson very well,” was the laughing reply. ”To be honest, Mrs. Emerson, I am pleased to have you to myself. I have . . . I have a favor to ask.”

I had a premonition of what that favor might be, but like the gentleman he was, Mr. Vincey waited to propose it until after we had found a table on the famous terrace and the waiter had taken our order.

We sat in silence for a time, enjoying the balmy afternoon air and watching the picturesque procession of Egyptian life pa.s.sing along the street. Carriages let off pa.s.sengers and picked up others, water carriers and vendors crowded around the steps. The tables were almost filled with ladies in light summer gowns and big hats, gentlemen in afternoon garb, and the usual sprinkling of officers. From his pocket Vincey had produced a lead and collar and fastened it on the cat. It submitted to this indignity more gracefully than its conduct had led me to expect, and squatted at its master's feet like a dog.

I found Mr. Vincey a pleasant companion. Our mutual affection for the feline species provided a useful introductory topic of conversation. I told him of the cat Bastet, and he replied with accounts of Anubis's intelligence, loyalty and courage. ”For a good many years he has been not only my friend but my best friend, Mrs. Emerson. People talk of the selfishness of cats, but I have not found human friends so loyal”

I recognized this statement for what it was intended to be- a tentative reference to his unhappy history- but naturally I was too well-bred to indicate I knew of that history. I replied with a sympathetic murmur and a look that invited further confidences.

A flush mantled his cheekbones. ”You must have guessed what I am about to ask, Mrs. Emerson. Your kindness and sympathy are well known. I had hoped- I am in need ... I beg your pardon. It is difficult for me to sue for favors. I have not lost all my pride.”

”Pray feel no self-consciousness, Mr. Vincey,” I replied warmly. ”Misfortune may come even to the worthy. There is no cause for shame in seeking honest employment.”

”How eloquently and with what exquisite tact you express yourself!” Vincey exclaimed. I thought I saw a glimmer as of tears in his eyes. I looked away until he could conquer his emotion.

It was as I had supposed. Hearing of our plans for an enlarged, permanent staff, he was seeking employment. Once the difficulty of this admission was over, he proceeded to recite his qualifications. They were impressive: ten years of excavation, fluent Arabic, familiarity with the hieroglyphs, a good sound cla.s.sical education.

”There is only one difficulty,” he concluded, with a smile that shoi even white teeth. ”Whither I go, Anubis goes. I could not abandon h

”I would think less of you if you did,” I a.s.sured him. ”That is no difficulty, Mr. Vincey. You understand I cannot promise anything y; our plans are still in the process of being formulated. However, I will speak to Emerson and- without wis.h.i.+ng in any way to hold out false hopes- I have every reason to believe he will be favorably inclined to your offer.”

”I cannot thank you enough.” His voice broke. ”That is the truth,

Mrs. Emerson, you have no idea- ”

”Enough said, Mr. Vincey.” Touched by his sincerity, respecting his dignity, I pretended to glance at my watch. ”Dear me, it is getting late. I must hurry and change. Are you coming to the ball?”

”I had not intended to, but if you will be there-”

”Yes, indeed. I look forward to it.”

”What costume are you wearing?”

”Ah, that is a secret,” I replied gaily. ”We are all to be masked and in disguise. Half the fun will be trying to recognize one's friends.”

”I can't believe you have persuaded Emerson to attend,” Vincey said. ”He used to roar like a chained bear at the very prospect of a social engagement. How you have civilized him!”