Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-10
CHAPTER III.
Jimmy Marrable.

Luncheon on the whole was a success,
though Mrs. Gums behavior exceeded
anything that Hughie had feared
She began by keeping the ladies adjust
ing their hair in Hughes bedroom for
something like ten minutes. while she re-
cited to them a detailed and revolving de-
scription of her most recent complaint.
Later, she initiated an impromptu and I'M
Seemly MISUNDERSTANDING with a skir-
mish of whispers in the doorway. swell
ing uprOariously to what sounded like
duet between a cockatoo and blood
hound on the landing outside and dying
away to an irregular fire of personal in
nuendoes. which dropped over the ban
listers one oy one, like the gentle dew of
heaven. on to the head of the retreating
foe beneath-with kitchen man over
thumb mark pudding plate.
But fortunately for Hughie the COM
pany tacitly agreed to regard her as a
form Of comic relief: and when she kept
back the salad dressing for the express
purpose-frustrated a the very last mo-
ment-of pouring Il over the sweets; yea,
even when she suddenly plucked a hairpin
from her head with which to spear a
wasp in the grassy corner pudding, the
ladies agreed that she was Ian old pet. "
When Mrs. Ames went SO far as to follow
her into the gyproom after lunch and
thank her for her trouble in waiting upon
them, Mrs. Gum, divided between eX-
IRENE qualification and desire to lose no
time, numbered her batteries at once;
and Hughes tingling ears, as he handed
round the coffee, overheard the portent-
Gus and mysterious fragment: We'll.
mum, put i'm straight to bed, and laid
a hot flannel on his just as the door
Of the gyproom swung to with q merciful
bang.
1t was now after >, and Hughie. in re-
Spouse to a generally expressed desire
laid before his guests q detailed program
for the afternoon. He proposed, first of
all, to show them round the college. After
that the party would proceed to DittOn
paddock in charge of MIR. Richard Lunn-
who. 1t will be remembered. had been Sc
lected by Hughie as cavalier on account
OF his exceptional qualifications for the
post-in company with a substantial tea
basket, the contents of which he hoped
would keep them fortified in body and
spirit until the races began with the sec
ond division. about $50.
How are you going to get us down to
Ditton. Hughie?" inquired his uncle
well, there's fly. which will hold five
Of you, and l thought"-Hughie cleared
his throat could take the other one
down in a canoe
There was brief pause. while the COM
pany. glarcing at one another with vary
ing expressions of solemnity, worked out
mental problems in permutations and
combinations Presently the tactless Ames
inquired:
(which one are you going to take in
the canoe?"
'Oh, anybody, said Hughie, in a voice
which said as plainly as possible, SILLY
old asst!
However. realizing that it is no use to
continue skirmishing after your cover has
been destroyed. he directed a gaze of in
vitation upon Miss Freshwater, who was
sitting beside him on the seat
She turned to him before he could
speak.
"Hughie." she said softly, take that
child. Just look at herr
Hughie obediently swallowed something
and turned to the wide-eyed and wistful
picture on the sofa
will you come. Joey:" he inquired.
The lady addressed signified. by shud-
der of ecstasy that the answer to the in
vitation was in the affirmative.
"Meanwhile." said MIR. Marrable, Il am
going to smoke a cigar before l stir out
Of this room And If you people will