"Time for what?"
"Time to run."
"There was a moment.... Lead on,"--quietly. I thought of the young man
with the cream tarts.
She touched a bell, and the door opened, admitting us into the hall. A
servant took our belongings.
"Dinner is served, miss," said the servant, eying me curiously, even
suspiciously.
It appeared that I was to dine! What the deuce did it all mean? A dinner
at suppertime! A very distressing thought flashed through my mind.
Supposing she had known me all along, and had lured me here to witness
some amateur performance. I shuddered. I flattered myself. There was no
amateur performance, as presently you shall see. I followed her into the
dining-room. Fortunately, I was in evening dress. I should at least be
presentable, and as cool as any man in the room. Comedy or tragedy, or
whatever it was going to be, I determined to show that I had good blood
in me, even though I had been played for a fool.
Around a table covered with exquisite linen, silver and glass sat a
party of elegantly dressed men and women. At the sight of us the guests
rose confusedly and made toward us with shouts of laughter, inquiry and
admiration. They gathered round my companion and plied her with a
hundred questions, occasionally stealing a glance at me. I saw at once
that I stood among a party of ultra-smart people. Somehow I felt that I
represented a part in their mad pastimes.
"Where did you find him?" cried one.
"Was it difficult?" asked another.
"I'll wager he didn't need much urging!" roared a gentleman with a
rubicund nose.
"He is positively good-looking!" said one woman, eying me boldly.
I bowed ironically, and she looked at her neighbor as if to say: "Why,
the animal understands what I say!"
"My friends," said the girl, waving her hand toward me, "I have paid my
detestable forfeit." Her tones did not bespeak any particular
enjoyment.
A wager! I stood alone, my face burning with chagrin. I could feel my
ears growing, like the very ass that I was. A wager!
"To table!" cried the gentleman with the rubicund nose. Evidently he was
host. "We must have the story in full. It certainly must be worth
telling. The girl has brought home a gentleman, I'm hanged!"
The guests resumed their chairs noisily.
The girl faced me, and for a space it was a battle of the eyes.
"Will you do me the honor?" she said half-mockingly, nodding toward the
only vacant chairs at the table.
"Would it not be wise for me to go at once?" I asked quietly.
"If you do not sit at the table with me I lose. But please
yourself,"--wearily. "It has all been very distasteful to me."
"I will stay to the bitter end. My conceit and assurance need a
drubbing." I offered her my arm. All eyes were centered upon us. She
hesitated. "We might as well go through this ordeal in a proper spirit
and manner," I said. I rather believe I puzzled her.
She flushed slightly, but laid her hand on my arm, and together we
walked over to the vacant chairs and sat down. The laughter and hum of
voices ceased instantly.
In faith, I was becoming amused. They were going to have their fun with
me; well, two could play at that game.