You came in here to-night to spin a yarn. I
watched you in. Well, is it true?"
"No," said Dolly, gasping for breath. "I mean--" he insisted, "what you
said about you and me. That isn't true?"
She repeated her denial. "No," he said, releasing her, "it 'ud have a
job to be seeing this is the first time I've had the pleasure of
meeting you. That'll do." He opened the platform door politely. "I hope
I haven't made you late on the platform, sir," he said.
Both Sir William and the secretary stared fascinated at Dolly, the
enterprising young person who had so successfully bluffed them. "I
repeat, don't let me make you late," said Tim from the now wide open
door.
Rumbold checked Fosdike who was, apparently, bent on doing Dolly a
personal violence. "That can wait," he said. "What can't wait is this."
He held out his hand to Martlow. "In all sincerity, I beg the honour."
Tim shook his hand, and Rumbold turned to the door. Fosdike ran after
him with the notes of his speech. "Your speech, sir."
Sir William turned on him angrily. "Man," he said, "haven't you heard?
That muck won't do now.
Pages:
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150