The blue eyes of Miss Perry opened in their dazzlement to dimensions that were perfectly astonishing.
“It would be awfully nice,” said she; “but, Jim——”
“Well?”
“I did promise you, didn’t I?”
“You would never have got those three red-cheeked apples if you hadn’t,” said Jim.
As they neared the turn at Hyde Park Corner they began unconsciously to assume airs of decorum. The accusing figure of Mr. Bryant awaited them. Lord Cheriton too was only a little way off. He stood by the railings looking the picture of outraged delicacy.
When the runaways came up to greet him he held up both hands before his face with the gesture of dismay of a very nice old lady.
“I am dumb,” said he.
Apparently Jim Lascelles was smitten with a similar infirmity. As for Miss Perry, the ineradicable instincts of her sex assumed the control of that irresponsible person.
“Have you seen Gobo?” she demanded breathlessly.