“Have you really decided to leave us, Mr. Fabian?” said she coyly, when she met that gentleman in the morning at breakfast.
“Yes, we take the lighter that comes off shore at Dover, and takes on those who wish to land.”
“Dodo tells me that you got a wireless that your wife and daughter would meet you at the wharf, in Dover,” continued Mrs. Alexander.
“Yes, and the invitation from Sir James, includes my party, I hear, so it is all right. We are all going there for an informal dinner-party and to spend the night. Then we will hire an auto and continue on our trip in the morning,” explained Mr. Fabian.
“Dear, dear! I am so upset,” sighed the amateur actress. “I find my car—it was shipped over before we left Noo York—was left in London instead of going on to France. So we have to get off when you do, and go to London just to get our car.”
“Oh, really! I didn’t know you had sent a car across,” said Mr. Fabian.
“Dear yes! You might as well, when you have one, you know. But I expect to buy myself a new French car whiles I am in Paris. Just for myself, and a friend or two, to use, you know; and that lets Pa drive his own touring car, ’cause he is crazy about motoring.”
Mr. Alexander had not mentioned a car, nor had Dodo said anything about the trouble in the delivery of a car to the wrong port, so Mr. Fabian mistrusted the truth of the statement made by Mrs. Alexander; but he forbore saying anything about the matter to any of his companions.
Evidently the lady’s husband and daughter had just previously been warned about the car, also, for they looked troubled and made no comment when Mrs. Alexander surprised everyone by saying: “We find we have to land at Dover, also, as our car went astray during shipment and we have to see about it in London.”
“Oh, how nice! Then Dodo can remain with us a bit longer,” said Ruth, guilelessly.