'Small tea toasted scone, Miss,' said the monarch with an approving look at Victoria's eyes. As she turned to execute his order he threw himself back in the bamboo arm chair. He joined his ten finger tips, and, crossing his legs, negligently displayed a purple sock. He retained this attitude until the return of Victoria.
'Kyou,' she said, depositing his cup before him. She had unconsciously acquired this incomprehensible habit of waitresses.
The young man availed himself of the wait for the scone to inform Victoria that it was a cold day.
'We don't notice it here,' she said graciously enough.
'Hot place, eh,' said the customer with a wink.
Victoria smiled. In the early days she would have snubbed him, but she had heard the remark before and had a stereotyped answer ready which, with a new customer, invariably earned her a reputation for wit.
'Oh, the hotter the fewer.' She smiled negligently, moving away towards the counter. When she returned with the scone, the youth held out his hand for the plate, and, taking it, touched the side of hers with his finger tips. She gave him a faint smile and sat down a couple of yards away on a chair marked 'Attendant.'
The youth congratulated her upon the prettiness of the place. Victoria helped him through his scone by agreeing with him generally. She completed her conquest by lightly touching his shoulder as she gave him his check.
'Penny?' asked Bella, as the youth gone, Victoria slipped her fingers under the cup.
'Gent,' replied Victoria, displaying three coppers.