It is early, but I shall chat with the people.
Oh, one last thought. When you mentioned Martlow, I thought you were
going to tell me of some undesirable connections. There are none?"
"There is his mother. A widow. You remember the Board voted her an
addition to her pension."
"Oh, yes. And she?"
"Oh, most grateful. She will be with you on the platform. I have seen
myself that she is--fittingly attired."
"I think I can congratulate you, Fosdike," said Sir William
magnanimously. "You've managed very well. I look forward to a pleasant
evening, a widely reported speech, and--"
Then Dolly Wainwright came into the ante-room.
"If you please, sir," she said, "what's going to be done about me?"
Two gentlemen who had all but reached the smug bathos of a mutual
admiration society turned astonished eyes at the intruder.
She wore a tam, and a check blanket coat, which she unbuttoned as they
watched her. Beneath it, suitable to the occasion, was a white dress,
and Sir William, looking at it, felt a glow of tenderness for this
artless child who had blundered into the privacy of the ante-room.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133