He did admit to himself in the morning that if Echford Flagg should show the right spirit of compromise the thing could be patched up on terms which would allow the drive master to be his own man instead of being a spanked youngster.
The girl seized an opportunity to speak to him when she brought his breakfast. “Things look better this morning—I’m sure they do. Tell me. I worried half the night. I must not be the cause of trouble.”
“Yes, they look better.”
“And you’re starting back to-day for the drive?” Her voice was low but eager. “Tell me that you are!”
His smouldering suspicion! Red tongues of fire darted up from it!
“I’m afraid you won’t be able to get rid of me to-day. Business is keeping me here.”
Her entreating smile faded; she backed way from him as if she had received a rude thrust, and then she went about her work.
There was a real sensation in the tavern that morning! The exclusive star boarder of the parlor came into the public room to eat her breakfast. Her charms were enhanced by a becoming morning wrap, and, following out her liberal code governing the relations of sex in modern days, she seated herself at Latisan’s table, greeting him with a mingling of bright good humor and gentle rebuke.
“Give me a good reason why you have not been the advising friend you promised to be, and I may not be too angry, Mr. Latisan.”
“I—I thought I’d wait till this morning——”