“We always do,” said Erb.
“I shall keep you in my mind.”
Lady Frances eluded some dowagers who were bearing down upon her, and came to him; she took an envelope from a pretty hiding place.
“My uncle particularly begged me to give you this. You were so good, Mr. Barnes. (Don’t open it until you get home.) Your speech was just what one wanted. You quite cleared the air.”
“Afraid I should clear the ’All.” Lady Frances seemed not to comprehend, and the knowledge came to Erb that he had missed an aspirate.
“My uncle will be so pleased. I shall be down at Bermondsey next week, and I can bring any message my uncle wishes to send. I don’t bother you, Mr. Barnes?”
“Need you ask?” replied Erb.
“You’re not going?” with her gloved hand held out.
Erb took the hint and made his exit with difficulty, because several ladies buzzed around him, humming pleasant words. The spectacled man walked with him along Piccadilly, talking busily, and expressed a desire to take Erb into the club for coffee. “Only that my place is so deucedly uncivil to visitors.” He contented himself with a threat that Erb should most certainly hear from him again.
“I shan’t lose your address,” said the spectacled person.