"Wouldn't let you bathe?"
"No. Said, 'You can't get in here. This beach is for millionaires.' I'm blest if I don't shake the sand off my feet as soon as I can pack up and get out."
"No, no, don't do that," I begged. "There's some mistake, perhaps."
"No, there isn't," said he. "I'm not a millionaire; but I did think I looked as if I could afford a bathe."
"Sally dear, do let me introduce my cousin, Lord Mohunsleigh," I said in a great hurry.
Potter opened his eyes at the thin little man, and Mrs. and Miss Pitchley looked at him with interest.
"Do introduce us all," laughed Mrs. Pitchley, "and then we can sympathise with Lord--Lord--oh, but I can never learn to pronounce him."
I introduced him to the mother and stepdaughter then, though I hadn't thought of its being necessary, and explained that my cousin, though spelled very elaborately, was pronounced Moonslee.
He had evidently abandoned all intention of immediate flight now, and his rage was visibly cooling. He was looking at Mrs. Pitchley with quite as much interest as she showed in him, and with even more at the girl, although he talked to Potter Parker, and answered his questions quite civilly. He explained that he had actually been ordered away from the beach, bathing suit and all, by some "impertinent ass of an official."
Potter was hospitably distressed, but Mrs. Pitchley was moved to laughter.