That's why I was prowling about the hospitable Hewitt mansion."
Joy couldn't help smiling. "I think you must be," she said.
But she didn't understand John's allusion to Tiddy. He was abjectly
devoted to Gail, but it did seem that devotion had its limits, when
it came to following her to somebody else's house.
"What is Tiddy doing in these parts?" Clarence asked for her, as
people so often do ask your questions for you if you only give them
time. "Dinner-party, is it?"
"Tiddy," said John dryly, "is making himself useful."
"That is nothing at all new in Tiddy's life," said Gail's cousin.
"People who dwell about Gail do. Am I to understand that he is chief
cook and bottle-washer?"
"You are," said John.
They got out and went into the house, Joy feeling as mussy as only a
girl can who has been away from home all day. She followed the
curious-minded Clarence into the kitchen.
The sight that met their eyes was an interesting one. The kitchen
was a pleasant sight to any one from outside, being warmed and
lighted. It was further decorated by Gail, in a very low and
clinging black frock trimmed with poppies, which it occurred to Joy
must have been in the grip. She was sitting in absolute idleness in
a kitchen chair, with her feet on a footstool, and Tiddy, swathed in
an apron with pink checks, was engaged at the kitchen range.
"Good work, old boy!" Clarence called out to him. "What have you got?"
Tiddy turned a scarlet face toward him, and waved one hand, with a
spoon in it.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207