"To-night I will attend to it. I regret very much——" Wallie mumbled.
Mrs. J. Harry Stott beckoned him aside as breakfast was being placed on the table.
Mrs. Stott had a carefully cultivated mispronunciation of great elegance when she wished to be impressive, and as soon as she began Wallie realized that something portentous was about to be imparted to him. Even the way she raised her eyebrows made him warm all over with a sense of guilt of something of which he was ignorant.
"You will excuse me if I speak frankly?"
Wallie gulped, wondering fearfully what she knew and how much.
She went on in a voice which seemed to have hoarfrost on it:
"But the fact is, I am not in the habit of eating with the help."
Wallie felt relief surge over him. His face cleared and he laughed light-heartedly.
"I know that, of course, Mrs. Stott, but out here it is different. Camping is particularly democratic. It has never occurred to 'Red' or Hicks that they are not welcome at the table, and I fear that they would be greatly offended if I should suggest——"
Mrs. Stott drew herself up haughtily.