Would you mind my being present when you thank her for it?
ALMERIC
Shouldn't in the least if I intended thanking her. It simply shows she considers herself already one of us. It's perfectly plain—why, it's plain as you are!
[Chuckles.]
PIKE
Oh! if I could only get it over to Kokomo! And that's why you're not worrying, is it, son?
ALMERIC
Worrying? My good man, do you mind excusing me. I saw a most likely pup yesterday; I'm afraid some other chap'll snatch him up before I do. I should have taken him at once. Good-morning!
[Exit through the grove with a [pg 159] sprightly gait and a wave of his stick.]
[PIKE gazes after him, shaking his head with a half-admiring, half-sardonic chuckle.]