He found a servant and asked for the Wallinghams.
“Mr. Wallingham has left, sir,” said the man, “but Mrs. Wallingham is here.”
“Ask her if Mr. Orme may speak to her.”
He smiled rather grimly as the servant departed, for he anticipated Bessie’s laughing accusations.
And presently she came, an admonishing finger upheld.
“Robert—Orme,” she exclaimed, “how dare you show your face now?”
“I couldn’t help it, Bessie. Honest, I couldn’t. I must ask you to forgive and forget.”
“That’s a hard request, Bob. You have broken two engagements in one day—and one of them for dinner. But never mind. I have a weakness that I acquired from Tom—I mean the weakness of believing in you. Go ahead and explain yourself.”
“It would take too long, Bessie. Please let me put it off.”
“Until you can manage a good excuse? You want all the trumps.”