‘I believe I was dying of hunger,’ she announced.
‘Just like you,’ he retorted, ‘at your old games again. Always thinking of somebody else, and forgetting your own much more important self.’
‘Well, you’ve probably saved my life. And now, Jimmy, I do want your help.’
‘I know, old girl. I don’t need to tell you I’ll do everything I can. Just start in and let’s have the whole story. You don’t mind if I smoke?’
‘Of course not. The first thing I have to tell you is—that I have become engaged to be married.’
‘By Jove, you have!’ cried Jimmy, jumping up and holding out his hand. ‘I hadn’t an inkling there was anything in the wind. Best possible congratulations, old girl. I think a cousinly salutation—’ they were alone in an alcove, and he kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘And who’s the lucky man, if it’s not a secret?’
‘Ah, there’s no luck in it, Jimmy. That’s what I’ve come about. It’s Austin Ponson.’
‘Austin Ponson? How do you mean no luck? Why, dear girl, I congratulate you again. I have heard of him, and always that he was a white man through and through.’
Tears trembled on Lois’s long eyelashes. It took all her strength of will to speak in her normal tone.
‘Dear Jimmy, you can’t think what it means to me to hear you say that. You evidently don’t know what has happened. He’s in frightful trouble.’