[CHAPTER XVII]
THREE TETE-A-TETES
IT'S a rum start!" said Mr. John Aymer.
"It certainly is queer!" said Mrs. John Aymer. "I don't like it one bit, John. I do wish Lawrence was back."
"Sent for him over there, did they? One of his pet lambs in trouble? Well, he'll be back on the night train, for to-morrow is the final cakewalk of his old Conference. But as far as immediate plans are concerned, I'm afraid, my dear, you will have to put up with yours truly. Now, this—what's his name? Lippitt? Pippit?"
"Something like that! I didn't quite make it out."
"Say Pippit! Certainly seems to be a decent chap. Tells a straight story, too. Knows this fellow Brown for a crook. We didn't ask him how he knew—"
"It wasn't necessary, John. I have never liked the man's looks. I spoke to Babbitt about him, and he said he had taken him on trial for three months, and he seemed a smart fellow, and that was all he knew. Of course I couldn't ask Babbitt to discharge him because I didn't like his looks, now could I?"
"—but we can find out about that later!" Mr. Aymer went on calmly. "Has seen Brown chinning with a pal—"