“Trente deux, rouge pair et passe.”
The old man had won. They paid him carefully and ostentatiously. He gathered the notes in a worn leather wallet, put his note-book and pencil back into his inner pocket, rose and went away. A crowd followed him to the door; inspectors gathered in groups and talked; directors looked down from upper windows. Never had there been such a sensational début.
“It’s fantastic,” said Hugh. “What with my own luck and the professor’s you could bowl me over with a feather. I want to indulge in hysterical laughter.”
“Better indulge in a brandy and soda,” said Mr. Gimp. “I’ll see you home after.”
2.
Hugh found Margot embroidering a piece of white silk. He marvelled at the delicate patience of her fingers.
“How jolly nice. What’s it for?”
“A blouse.”
“Good. You’ll look ripping in that.”
“You think so?... but it’s not for me.”