"Well, boy, I've got to dress," he said. "So long! We meet again in the Khyber Pass, i.e., at his Nobship's groaning board!" And he laughed heartily at his own wit.
McTaggart remembered something essential. "I say, they mustn't know that I know you!"
"No fear!" said the redoubtable Collop, winking again. "I don't give you away, nor myself away, nor no one away." He had already taken off his tweed coat and waistcoat. "You run off and dress, laddie ... You keep mum. Same here!" And he dug a podgy finger into McTaggart's staggering chest. And they parted.
* * * * * * *
From her room, interrupting the induing of those three pieces which formed all her raiment, shaking shorn hair, Marjorie telephoned in a fever regardless. "The Home Office.... Yes, the Home Office ... No reply? Oh! Nonsense! ... What, our line gone wrong? D'you mean to say we can't get London? ... Oh! hell!"
She banged down the receiver ... There's a schlemozzle! Telephone broken down! Saturday night—the Monster in the Home! And no redress, no aid.
Had she had tears she would have wept. What would come of all this?
[CHAPTER TEN]
Mr. Collop came out, dressed, he was surprised to find his host waiting for him, not to say waylaying him, in the passage outside.