“It is a good one—and on me,” replied De Peyster. “I took him for the chauffeur, you know.”
Helen looked at her husband. “Is it safe for me to laugh now, Jack?” she asked. “I am glad something has happened to put you in good-humor. Can you be induced to leave your work for the rest of the day and make yourself presentable to join us in the garden?”
Armstrong cast a despairing glance at the machine.
“Of course,” he said. “I shall be fresher in the morning, anyway, and I am sure I can fix it up then.”
“Nothing like knowing all about it yourself, Jack,” Uncle Peabody remarked, innocently. “These French machines are so simple!”
“You take the girls back to the garden,” Armstrong replied, emphatically, “and kindly devote your attention to your own theories, or I will put you at work on the blamed thing yourself to-morrow.”
De Peyster greeted Inez effusively, paying but little attention to Helen and Uncle Peabody as they strolled back to the garden, while Jack disappeared in-doors.
“Oh, I say!” he exclaimed as they reached the balustrade. “How did Armstrong happen to find a place like this? Is it not simply splendid, Inez?”
Inez Thayer resented something—she did not quite know what. She had been expecting De Peyster’s arrival daily, yet now that he had come she was still unprepared. She could find no fault with his attentions except that they had been too assiduous. Perhaps it was that, try as she could, she had been quite unable to convince him that his devotion was useless. He accepted each rebuff philosophically and bided his time.
Annetta skilfully arranged the chairs and laid the little table, placed, as Helen had taught her, in a spot commanding the exquisite view of the valley and San Miniato beyond. Luscious fragole, cooling gelati, seducing little Italian paste, as only Helen’s cook could make them, and a refreshing Asti cup replaced the tea which the girls had decided would be less acceptable on this particular day; and by the time all was in readiness Armstrong joined them clothed in his proper mind and raiment.