"So was Columbus'. You know about him? He saw an egg standing on its head and whizzed off like a jack-rabbit."
"If you will pardon the liberty, Mr. James, is it not a little rash—?"
"Don't take the joy out of life, Bayliss. I may be a chump, but try to forget it. Use your willpower."
"Good evening, Mr. Bayliss," said a voice behind them. They both turned. The butler was gazing rather coyly at a vision in a grey tailor-made suit.
"Good evening, miss," he said doubtfully.
Ann looked at him in astonishment, then broke into a smile.
"How stupid of me! I meant this Mr. Bayliss. Your son! We met at the steamship offices. And before that he saved my life. So we are old friends."
Bayliss, gaping perplexedly and feeling unequal to the intellectual pressure of the conversation, was surprised further to perceive a warning scowl on the face of his Mr. James. Jimmy had not foreseen this thing, but he had a quick mind and was equal to it.
"How are you, Miss Chester? My father has come down to see me off. This is Miss Chester, dad."
A British butler is not easily robbed of his poise, but Bayliss was frankly unequal to the sudden demand on his presence of mind. He lowered his jaw an inch or two, but spoke no word.