Vivi dropped his hand and glanced hastily at her watch.
"Good heavens, it's four o'clock!"
"All right, I'm on. Who's the little bird?" said Skippy, who had not heard himself described as the acme of suspicion for nothing.
"Jack!"
The whip-poor-will rose to shriller heights.
"It's Charlie Brownrigger," said Vivi, trying to appear embarrassed, "and he's come round to say good-bye."
"Oh, indeed."
"I had to let him say good-bye," said Vivi imploringly to the young sultan. "I've treated him abominably since you came. I can't be rude to a chap, can I? I'll be right back."
"How long's it going to take?" asked Skippy, drawing out his watch.