“Bless her heart! She is the salt of the earth. As poor as she is, she is always doing something for her fellow man. Only last week she sent five dollars to an indigent Southern friend, who is frightfully hard up, thinking she would buy some much-needed underclothing. She received a note yesterday from the Southerner saying that she and her daughter were so obliged for her kind assistance. It had enabled them to buy a canvasback duck, which they had wanted for a long time!”
“De Smirnoff said he would drop in this afternoon,” continued Dick. “He ought to be here at any moment now,” glancing at his watch. “I asked Mrs. Brisbane to have him shown right up.”
“Then I’ll be going.” Long started to rise.
“No, no, Chester; sit down. I particularly want you to know each other.”
A quick rap interrupted him, and Long hastened to open the door.
“Here is Count de Smirnoff,” said Mrs. Brisbane’s cheery voice from the hall. As the Russian, with innate courtesy stood aside to allow her to enter first, Dick rose and went into the hall.
“How are you, Count?” he said, cordially, and their hands met in a strong, firm clasp. “Thanks so much, Mrs. Brisbane, for taking all this trouble. Won’t you both come in?”
But Mrs. Brisbane shook her head and disappeared down the corridor. Dick ushered the Russian into his room and closed the door.
“Count de Smirnoff—my friend, General Long,” he said, quickly.
“General Long is well known to me by reputation,” exclaimed de Smirnoff. “It is a great pleasure to meet so distinguished an American.”