Forbes smiled bitterly and explained the foolish mistake, too foolish to correct at first, and later embarrassing.
The Senator stared at him a moment searchingly with a tender inquisition, then said:
"Unless you're golf-hungry, let's send the caddies back and have a talk."
"By all means," Forbes agreed; and even as he cast his glance about in search of his caddy he looked farther to see if Persis were not visible somewhere from this Pisgah height. He was fond of the old man, but he loved the young woman.
CHAPTER XXXIV
FORBES' caddy was standing by the ball, and came in with it, cannily claimed his pay and tip for the full course, and hurried back with the Senator's caddy to pick up other fares. They took both the golf-bags with them to put away.
Tait and Forbes strolled aside from the traffic of the golf-course and found a quiet seat in the shade.
"And now tell me," the Senator said; "but first have a cigar?"
He took out a portly wallet stuffed with brown backs, the famous cigars made expressly for him in Havana. Forbes accepted one and sniffed its bouquet.