"And I was the last person you would have thought of as answering that description?"
"Well, no, I didn't mean that. I meant there was no mention of the ladies."
Waymark flashed a question at Ida with his eyes, and understood her assent in the smile and slight motion of the head.
"Then let me introduce you to the ladies."
The new-comers accordingly made the acquaintance of Miss Starr and Miss Fisher (that was Sally's name), and took seats at the table, to await the arrival of their dinners. Both were on their good behaviour. Mr. O'Gree managed to place himself at Sally's left hand, and led the conversation with the natural ease of an Irishman, especially delighted if Sally herself seemed to appreciate his efforts to be entertaining.
"Now, who'd have thought of the like of this." he exclaimed. "And we came in here by the merest chance; sure, there's a fatality in these things. We've walked all the way from Hammersmith."
"And we from Putney," said Waymark.
"You don't mean it? It's been a warm undertaking."
"How did you find the walk, Mr. Egger?"
"Bedad," replied that gentleman, who had got hold of his friend's exclamation, and used it with killing effect; "I made my possible, but, bedad, I could not much more."