IX
THEY DISCUSS A PLAN OF ESCAPE
The first thing Colonel Jim did when he had thrown off his disguise was to bow politely to all of them. But to Lady Grace he did more than that. He took her hand and kissed it respectfully, and then said, “Very sorry to see you here, my lady. Forming plans to get you out. Disgraceful affair altogether!”
He took her hand and kissed it respectfully
Lady Grace looked pleased at the attention paid to her, and blushed. Peggy had not known before that dolls could fall in love, but it was quite plain that Lady Grace was in love with handsome Colonel Jim. It seemed plain also that he was in love with her. He spoke in short sharp sentences because he was a soldier, and loved deeds better than words. But there was a tenderness in his manner when he addressed Lady Grace which he did not show to anybody but her, though his manners were always courteous.
Wooden’s aunt gave a screech of enjoyment when Colonel Jim kissed Lady Grace’s hand, and said, “Lawks! I wish I’d got a handsome beau like that.” But nobody took any notice of her, as there was so much to talk about. Wooden’s mother requested Colonel Jim to take a seat, which he did, and proceeded to explain himself.
“Didn’t hear you were shut up till Teddy bear came and told me so,” he said. “Determined at once to use the pass-word for the day, which I knew, as commanding troops at palace. Pass-word ‘Pot-plants.’ So concocted plan with Teddy bear, and here I am.”
Peggy wondered that she had not known who he was under his disguise. But he had not then spoken in the military way he used now, as he had, of course, been playing his part as well as he could.
“And very pleased we are to see you, Colonel Jim,” said Wooden, in her nice gentle manner. “It’s a sad thing, this shutting up of Waxes and others. I’m sure dear Queen Rosebud would never have allowed it, if she had been alive.”