Miss Evans glanced at him, but said nothing. She was looking instead towards a gentleman of middle age who was peeping round the door indulging in a waggish game of peep-bo with the unconscious Mr. Carter. Finding that he had at last attracted his attention, the gentleman came inside and, breathing somewhat heavily after his exertions, stood before him with outstretched hand.
"How goes it?" said Mr. Carter, forcing a smile and shaking hands.
"He's grown better-looking than ever," said the gentleman, subsiding into a chair.
"So have you," said Mr. Carter. "I should hardly have known you."
"Well, I' m glad to see you again," said the other in a more subdued fashion. "We're all glad to see you back, and I 'ope that when the wedding cake is sent out there'll be a bit for old Ben Prout."
"You'll be the first, Ben," said Mr. Carter, quickly.
Mr. Prout got up and shook hands with him again. "It only shows what mistakes a man can make," he said, resuming his seat. "It only shows how easy it is to misjudge one's fellow-creeturs. When you went away sudden four years ago, I says to myself, 'Ben Prout,' I says, 'make up your mind to it, that two quid has gorn.'"
The smile vanished from Mr. Carter's face, and a sudden chill descended upon the company.