Poor young upstart took it in the neck terrific.
“Telephone or send a wire? Only just time to pack my bag and then damn near had to have a special. I feel obliged to chastise you, you cub, for this display of eg-o-tism.”
The luckless heir groveled and begged pardon. Supposed the affairs of the Empire must always take precedence of a muffin-worry, even if the fairest of her sex was going to be there. He had a Constitutional mind, you see, even if the facts of his life are all against him.
“But I’ll overlook it this time,” said Arminius with an air of really princely magnanimity, “if in the future you will try not to overrate yourself, and you will also promise not to be so cursed familiar in mixed company. One don’t mind so much in this Bohemian resort, but when I as a dinner guest meet you as one of the mob at the Blenheims I particularly hope you will not address me as Fathead before all the congregation.”
Deep shame overflowed the blonde complexion of the heir.
“You’ve been asking for it a long time,” said Arminius grimly, “and you’ve got it now. Cheek I abhor from a new creation. But as I like you pooty well, I am going to forgive you.”
The heir to the barony was only too glad to be forgiven on these terms by such a distinguished man; and in this, although we may lay ourselves open to correction, we consider him quite right.
He could not sleep just now, you know, when he went to bed at night. A rare vision enthralled him when he dined, and when he supped; playing at billiards under the guidance of Mr. John R-b-rts; losing at games of chance, money he had never earned; riding in the park with Adela, who had recovered of her indisposition, had been to High Cliff, and had come back again; going with his mother to concerts and museums like a dutiful young chap; buying cigarettes at Harrod’s Stores; shaving in the morning with his safety razor or pulling off his socks at night—his only thought was Cinderella and her diadem of chestnut curls.
He had been several times in front to see her, but he didn’t know Mr. Hollins anything like well enough to dare to go behind. And not one of his many friends in the metropolis seemed able and willing to bring him closer to his divinity, with the sole and august exception of Arminius Wingrove.
That is why perhaps the young man ate humble pie ad. lib.