“My good intentions are already half dissipated,” he admitted.
She laughed.
“How can we attack the other half?” she asked.
Gerald, who was also on his way to the sideboard, suddenly stopped.
“Hullo!” he exclaimed, looking out of the window. “Who’s going away this morning, I wonder? There’s the Rolls-Royce at the door.”
Hamel, too, rose once more to his feet. The two exchanged swift glances. Moved by a common thought, they both started for the door, only to find it suddenly opened before them. Mr. Fentolin glided into the room.
“Uncle!” Gerald exclaimed.
Mr. Fentolin glanced keenly around the room.
“Good morning, everybody,” he said. “My appearance at this hour of the morning naturally surprises you. As a matter of fact, I have been up for quite a long time. Esther dear, give me some coffee, will you, and be sure that it is hot. If any of you want to say good-by to Mr. John P. Dunster, you’d better hurry out.”
“You mean that he is going?” Hamel asked incredulously.