I stood as straight as the wireless mast on the downs. I glared out towards the steely glitter of the English Channel.
"Ah, now, why should you be angry?" protested that ineffably gentle Irish voice beside me. "Sure I'm only just pointing out how differently an unscrupulous fellow might have behaved. I never kissed you, child."
I couldn't think of a crushing retort. All I could find to say was, of course, the very last thing I really meant.
"I shall never forgive you!"
"What?" took up the Honourable Jim swiftly and merrily. "Never forgive me for what?" To this I didn't have to reply, for the other three people had come quickly up to us.
Miss Million came up first, holding out both hands to the Honourable Jim.
"At last! Well, you are a stranger, and no mistake!" she declared, panting a little with the haste she had made. "I have been looking out for you all the morning——"
Surely this is an attitude that Mr. Burke ought to approve of in "our sex"!
"And I did hope," said Miss Million quite touchingly, "I did hope you was going to come over to see me!"
I'm not quite sure whether I'm glad or sorry that I happened to be present at that meeting on the sun-lit, wind-swept downs between my mistress and the young Irishman, to whom she presently introduced her cousin, Mr. Hiram P. Jessop.