I felt my heart warm to the future Mrs. Billson. Despite Ukridge’s slurs, a girl, it seemed to me, of the soundest intelligence.
“So when Flossie told me—with tears in her eyes, poor girl—that mother was due to-day, I had the inspiration of a lifetime. Said I would take her off her hands from start to finish if she would agree to let Billson fight at the Universal. Well, it shows you what family affection is, laddie; she jumped at it. I don’t mind telling you she broke down completely and kissed me on both cheeks. The rest, old horse, you know.”
“Yes. The rest I do know.”
“Never,” said Ukridge, solemnly, “never, old son, till the sands of the desert grow cold, shall I forget how you have stood by me this day!”
“Oh, all right. I expect in about a week from now you will be landing me with something equally foul.”
“Now, laddie——”
“When does this fight come off?”
“A week from to-night. I’m relying on you to be at my side. Tense nervous strain, old man; shall want a pal to see me through.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for worlds. I’ll give you dinner before we go there, shall I?”
“Spoken like a true friend,” said Ukridge, warmly. “And on the following night I will stand you the banquet of your life. A banquet which will ring down the ages. For, mark you, laddie, I shall be in funds. In funds, my boy.”