"Hello, Father," he said, jumping up and kissing him as usual. "You don't stay in the office this afternoon, do you, Father? Why don't you take Bugs and me to the game? Or you can take us for a ride in the car, if you like; we'll meet you downtown for lunch, so as to save time." (Bugs was for the moment Harry's fidus Achates; a sort of vice-James.)
"You will not, I fear," returned Hilary briefly. "I'm going out of town for the day."
"What, not in the car?"
"In the car."
"All day?"
"All day. Leaving now, as soon as ever the car comes round, and not getting back till late—perhaps not to-night."
"Dash," remarked Harry. "I wish you'd go by train; Graves told me he'd give me a lesson in running the machine the next free Saturday."
"Sorry. Next week, perhaps."
"Where are you going, anyway, Father?"
"My business."