As they, themselves, had no interest in the birthday-party, and as they had eaten nothing since early coffee on the steamer, the young men were soon deep in the joy of feasting. But they were not long to remain in peace.
From the bushes behind them there emerged suddenly and quietly a young negro. He was intelligent looking and of good appearance. His white duck was freshly ironed, his straw hat sported a gay ribbon. Without for an instant hesitating between the two men, he laid a letter in front of Roddy. “For Mr. Forrester,” he said, and turning, parted the bushes and, as quickly as he had come, departed.
Roddy stared at the hedge through which the messenger had vanished, and his wandering eyes turned toward the birthday-party. He found that every one at that table was regarding him intently. It was evident all had witnessed the incident. Roddy wondered if it were possible that the letter came from them. Looking further he observed that the man who was serving Peter and himself also was regarding him with greater interest than seemed natural, and that he was not the man who first had waited upon them.
“You,” began Roddy doubtfully, “you are not the waiter who——”
The man shrugged his shoulders.
“That fellow he can’t speakety English,” he explained. “I speakety English very good.”
The man smiled knowingly, so it seemed to Roddy, impertinently. Roddy felt uncomfortably convinced that some jest was going on behind his back, and he resented the thought.
“Yes,” he began hotly, “and I will bet you understand it, too.”
Under the table Peter kicked violently at his ankles.
“Read your letter,” he said.