"And break into hard-won cash, every penny of which will be needed for the big time in the metropolis? A pretty story!"
"Well, anyway, you aren't coming with me."
"Why not?"
"I don't want you."
"John," said Hugo, "there is more in this than meets the eye. You can't deceive me. You are going to London for a purpose. What purpose?"
"If you really want to know, I'm going to see Pat."
"What on earth for? She'll be here to-morrow. I looked in at Chas. Bywater's this morning for some cigarettes—and, gosh, how lucky it was I did!—by the way, he's putting them down to you—and he told me she's arriving by the three-o'clock train."
"I know. Well, I happen to want to see her very particularly to-night."
Hugo eyed his cousin narrowly. He was marshalling the facts and drawing conclusions.
"John," he said, "this can mean but one thing. You are driving a hundred miles in a shaky car—that left front tire wants a spot of air. I should look to it before you start, if I were you—to see a girl whom you could see to-morrow in any case by the simple process of meeting the three-o'clock train. Your state of mind is such that you prefer—actually prefer—not to have my company. And, as I look at you, I note that you are blushing prettily. I see it all. You've at last decided to propose to Pat. Am I right or wrong?"