“Why, if you would like to go back, Dr. Fabos——”
“Don’t say so. I am only thinking of your troubles.”
“Then, you do want to stay?”
“Frankly, I want to stay.”
“Then come right in. And pity our poor cook, who expected you an hour ago.”
“Really, you should not——”
“What! starve a man who has come all the way from Europe to see us?”
“Well, I’ll confess to a mountain appetite, then. You can tell the General how obedient you found me.”
“You shall tell him for yourself. Oh, don’t think you are going away from him in a hurry. People never do who come to the Villa San Jorge. They stop weeks and months. It’s just like heaven, you know—if you know what heaven is like. We have given you ‘Bluebeard’s room,’ because of the cupboard in it—but you may look inside if you like. Let General Washington show you the way up this minute.”
“And my servant? I hope he won’t give any trouble. He’s a Jap, and he lives on rice puddings. If he is in your way, don’t hesitate to say so.”