"Life is a great experience," said Villard, his big open face radiating his good humor—"one little thing right after another."
"And the more we laugh the more we live," replied Updyke, lighting his usual black cigar.
"A big day for me, Henry!" exclaimed the host; "a great day indeed!"
"Yep—little Winifred—your luck is phenomenal, old fellow. I congratulate you with all my heart."
"But suppose she wakes up and asks for Parkins?" queried Villard, anxiously.
"I had thought of that, and my hope is that something else will occur. But that very thing might happen. Better be prepared for it," said Updyke, his face denoting his serious thought on that subject.
"Please particularize, Henry. What precedent have you to offer?"
Villard's interest was from the depths of his heart and the uncertainty of the girl's attitude on awakening was already forming a dread in his mind.
"I gauge my thoughts on what has gone before in numerous cases. Consider yourself in my car seated in front beside me. I'm loaded with booze but it is inside of me, so I do not catch the odor of it myself. But you, who have never touched liquor, catch a whiff of it, and instantly your suspicion is aroused to the fact that I'm a drinking man."
"But there are——"