“You’ll have to excuse me, gentleman,” I pleaded. “Another time, but not now. I wish to eat and to bathe, and I have an engagement following.”
“Gad, suh!” The Colonel fixed me with his fishy eyes. “Foh God’s sake don’t break your winning streak with eatin’ and washin’. Fortune is a fickle jade, suh; she’s hostile when slapped in the face.”
Bill glowered at me, but I was firm.
“If you will give me the pleasure of taking supper with me at some good place——” I suggested, as they pursued me into the street.
“We can’t talk this over while we’re dry,” the Colonel objected. “That is a human impossibility. Let us libate, suhs, in order to tackle our provender in proper spirit.”
“And no lemonade goes this time, either,” Bill declared. “That brand of a drink is insultin’ to good victuals.”
We were standing, for the moment, verging upon argument much to my distaste, when on a sudden who should come tripping along but My Lady of the Blue 82 Eyes—yes, the very flesh and action of her, her face shielded from the dust by a little sunshade.
She saw me, recognized me in startled fashion, and with a swift glance at my two companions bowed. My hat was off in a twinkling, with my best manner; the Colonel barely had time to imitate ere, leaving me a quick smile, she was gone on.
He and Bill stared after; then at me.
“Gad, suh! You know the lady?” the Colonel ejaculated.