Instinctively Poke was fumbling in his pocket. “The damage—how much? If you’ll tell me, I’ll——”
“Oh, there is no hurry,” said the clerk. “I shall have to refer the whole matter to the proprietor, who is away for a few days.”
“Then I can’t settle it now?”
The corners of the man’s mouth twitched, but his speech was matter-of-fact.
“No; a case like this must be referred to the proprietor. I’m sure I don’t know what view he may take of it, or of the—ah—ah—the question of responsibility. We have your name and address, you understand; he can communicate with you if he desires to do so.”
“Oh!” said Poke weakly. He was half rejoiced by the delay, half frightened by the hint of written claim for damages. “Oh! Then there’s nothing to be done now?”
“Not a thing!” said the clerk crisply; and retired to his place behind the desk.
Poke turned unhappily to his friends, but none of them had comfort to offer in this sudden and unfortunate turn in affairs.
“I—I suppose we might as well start for home,” he said drearily. “I—I guess the sooner we’re out of here, the better.”