He glanced at me politely, then his casual glance suddenly changed into a long scrutinizing gaze of astonishment—no, not of admiration, merely unqualified amazement.
He was a good-looking young man, with a somewhat thin, aristocratic face, brown hair, brown eyes, and a light, reddish-brown mustache.
“I used to know your father, Miss Hayes. My people and I stayed with him in India, you know.”
I did not know—how should I?
“He was awfully good to me, and took me out shooting and elephant-catching.” Then, suddenly turning to Emma, he said, “What are you going to do now? It is one o’clock. Will you come and have lunch with me at the club, or will you lunch here?”
“Oh, here, thank you, since we are on the spot; and I am told that the curries are celebrated.”
“All right, then, we will try the curry. Allow me to relieve you of your parcels.”
In another second, and despite our vehement expostulations, this smart young man was actually carrying our beef, butter, and candles, and leading the way to the refreshment department. Five minutes later, we were seated at a little table, and Emma, with her gloves off and menu in hand, was, by our host’s desire, ordering our lunch. No, after all, it was much too hot for curry; it was a day for mayonnaise and aspic jelly. He seemed most anxious to please my stepmother, and to make much of her. Poor Emma! she was unused to such attentions; they brought a brilliant color to her cheek, and a sparkle to her eyes. She brightened up wonderfully under their influence.
Warm as the room was, I found myself rather “out in the cold.” These two had so many subjects in common, so many topics which were closed to me. They talked of places and people I had never seen, of the great camp at Attock, of the rajah’s big shoot, and finally of that young man’s own relations.
“So you have not seen my mother since she stayed with you at Jam-Jam-More? She and my father are abroad now, and I am off to South America in three days. I’ve been buying my kit here. Done a tremendous morning’s work. I’m combining business and pleasure. My father has considerable investments out there which he wants me to look after—then I’m going to the West Indies.”