There was a little hesitation, almost awkwardness in their greetings. No one knew exactly what to say.
“You fellows are rather late, aren’t you?” Wolfenden remarked.
“We were here punctually enough,” Harcutt replied; “but we have been waiting for you nearly a quarter of an hour.”
“I am sorry,” Wolfenden said. “The fact is I ought to have left word when I came in, but I quite forgot it. I took it for granted that you would look into the room when you found that I was behind time.”
“Well, it isn’t of much consequence,” Harcutt declared; “we are here now, at any rate, although it seems that after all we are not to have supper together.”
Wolfenden glanced rapidly over his shoulder.
“You understand the position, of course,” he said. “I need not ask you to excuse me.”
Harcutt nodded.
“Oh, we’ll excuse you, by all means; but on one condition—we want to know all about it. Where can we see you afterwards?”