Part 49

“And on the way there--oh, you know, he went to the lectures.”

“The young dog,” said I, nudging Hilary. “I should think he did!”

“On the way there it became rather--rather foggy.”

“Blessings on it!” I cried; for little Miss Phyllis’s demure but roguish expression delighted me.

“And he--he found me in the fog.”

“What are you doing, Mr. Carter?” cried Mrs. Hilary angrily.

“Nothing, nothing,” said I. I believe I had winked at Hilary.

“And--we couldn’t find the Town Hall.”

“Oh, Phyllis!” groaned Mrs. Hilary.

Little Miss Phyllis looked alarmed for a moment. Then she smiled.

“But we found the confectioner’s,” said she.

“The Grand Prix,” said I, pointing my forefinger at Hilary.

“He had no money at all,” said Miss Phyllis.

“It’s ideal!” said I.

“And--and we had tea on--on--”

“The shilling?” I cried in rapture.

“Yes,” said little Miss Phyllis, “on the shilling. And he saw me home.”

“Details, please,” said I.

Little Miss Phyllis shook her head.

“And left me at the door.”

“Was it still foggy?” I asked.

“Yes. Or he wouldn’t have--”

“Now what did he--?”

“Come to the door, Mr. Carter,” said Miss Phyllis, with obvious wariness. “Oh, and it was such fun!”

“I’m sure it was.”

“No, I mean when we were examined in the lectures. I bought the local paper, you know, and read it up, and I got top marks easily, and Miss Green wrote to mother to say how well I had done.”

“It all ends most satisfactorily,” I observed.

“Yes, didn’t it?” said little Miss Phyllis.