As the cab whizzed through the streets Serena gloated over the splendors of their new possessions. The house was finer than she expected, the furniture was so rich and high-toned, the pictures—did Daniel notice the pictures?
“And the location!” she cried ecstatically. “Right on the very best street in town, and yet, so the Hapgood man said, convenient to the theaters and the clubs and the halls. We saw the Ladies of Honor hall on the way up, Daniel, you remember.”
Daniel nodded. “Yes,” he admitted, “it's fine and convenient and all. We”—with a sidelong glance at his wife's face—“we ought to get a good rent for it if we decide not to sell; hey, Serena?”
Serena did not answer. When they reached the hotel she left her husband to settle with the driver and took the elevator to their room. A few minutes later the captain joined her. He looked as if suffering from shock.
“My heavens and earth, Serena!” he exclaimed, “what do you suppose that tax hack feller had the cheek to—”
“Sshh! shh!” interrupted the lady, who was reclining upon the couch. “Don't bother me now, Daniel. I don't want to be bothered with common every-day things now; I want to think.”
“Common! Everyday! My soul and body! if what that pirate charged me was everyday, I'd be in the poorhouse in a fortni't. Why—”
“Oh, don't! Please don't! Can't you see I am trying to realize that it's true and not a dream. That it has really happened—to ME. Please don't talk. Do go away, can't you? Just go out and take a walk, or something; just for a little while. I want to be alone.”
Captain Dan slowly descended the stairs. The elevator, of course, would have been quicker, but he was in no hurry. If he must walk, and it seemed that he must, he might as well begin at once. He descended the stairs to the ground floor of the hotel and wandered aimlessly about through the lobby into the billiard room, and finally to a plate glass door upon which was lettered the word “Rathskeller.”
What a Rathskeller might be he did not know, but, as there was another set of letters on the door and those spelled “Push,” he pushed.