Despite the fact that he left two hours earlier, the day passed but slowly, and he was in a very despondent state of mind by the time he reached Mr. Stokes's lodging. The latter, however, had cheerfulness enough for both, and, after helping his visitor to change into fresh clothes and part his hair in the middle instead of at the side, surveyed him with grinning satisfaction. Under his directions Mr. Henshaw also darkened his eyebrows and beard with a little burnt cork until Mr. Stokes declared that his own mother wouldn't know him.
“Now, be careful,” said Mr. Stokes, as they set off. “Be bright and cheerful; be a sort o' ladies' man to her, same as she saw you with the one on the 'bus. Be as unlike yourself as you can, and don't forget yourself and call her by 'er pet name.”
“Pet name!” said Mr. Henshaw, indignantly. “Pet name! You'll alter your ideas of married life when you're caught, my lad, I can tell you!”
He walked on in scornful silence, lagging farther and farther behind as they neared his house. When Mr. Stokes knocked at the door he stood modestly aside with his back against the wall of the next house.
“Is George in?” inquired Mr. Stokes, carelessly, as Mrs. Henshaw opened the door.
“No,” was the reply.
Mr. Stokes affected to ponder; Mr. Henshaw instinctively edged away.
“He ain't in,” said Mrs. Henshaw, preparing to close the door.
“I wanted to see him partikler,” said Mr. Stokes, slowly. “I brought a friend o' mine, name o' Alfred Bell, up here on purpose to see 'im.”
Mrs. Henshaw, following the direction of his eyes, put her head round the door.