His wife swooped upon him like a swallow on a fly.
“You?” she snorted contemptuously. “You didn't hear a word of it. I only hope Mrs. Cornish wasn't watching you, as I was. And now,” she added, turning to Serena, “comes the other part, the important part. Captain Dott, there is to be a short business meeting in a few minutes, and men are, of course, excluded. Phelps, will you have James drive Captain Dott home? You had better go with him, and then come back again and wait for us. Captain Dott, I am going to borrow your wife for a short time.”
Daniel, not knowing exactly what to say, said nothing. Phelps seized his arm and led him down to the carriage. The driver received his instructions and the homeward ride began.
“I say, Barney,” observed Daniel, after waiting for his escort to volunteer a word or two, “are all their meetings like that?”
Mr. Black snorted. “No,” he declared; “some are a d——d sight worse.”
It was after eleven when Serena returned. Her face was flushed and shining with excitement. She did not wait to remove her hat, but rushed into the parlor where her husband sat in lonely magnificence. The solicitous Hapgood, who had happened in every few minutes to see if his employer “wished anything,” had been ordered to “go aloft and turn in.” The tone in which the order was given made an impression and Hapgood had obeyed.
“Oh, Daniel!” she cried. “What do you think? I've been made a member of the Chapter!”
Captain Dan should perhaps have been enthusiastic. If he was, he suppressed his feelings wonderfully.
“Have you, Serena?” he observed. “I want to know!”
He listened while his wife dilated upon the wonderful happenings at the meeting and the glorious consequences which she felt sure were to follow. Just before putting out the light he asked one more question.