"He does—thank God!"
"You are both all right, then," said Hughie, nodding a wise head. "Nothing matters much—except that!"
"That's true," said Mrs. Gaymer. "But—I wonder how you knew!" she added curiously.
"Good-bye!" said Hughie.
As Hughie stood in the darkening street a church clock began to chime. He looked at his watch.
It was six o'clock, and he had promised faithfully to be at Joey's entertainment at eight! He had good reason for his absence, it is true, but a reason is not always accepted as an excuse.
"I've fairly torn it, this time!" he reflected morosely.
He was right.
Early next morning he arrived at the village station by the newspaper train, and made his way on foot to Manors. A sleepy housemaid was sweeping out the hall, which was strewn with confetti,—some cotillion figures had been included in last night's festivities,—and as Hughie made his way to his dressing-room, intent upon a bath and shave before breakfast, he reflected not without satisfaction that, despite Joey's prospective fulminations, he had escaped something by missing his train.