“But I know you two’ll want to be together. I won’t be a troublesome chaperon,” she was saying; “I’ll get out of your way. I expect you’ve lots to say to each other.”
And before Roland quite knew what was happening he was alone with April. He turned towards her, and as her eyes met his she blushed a little and smiled, a shy, wavering smile that said: “I am here; take me if you want me, I am yours”--a smile that would have been to anyone else indescribably beautiful, but that to Roland, at that moment, appeared childish and absurd. He did not know what to say. He was in no mood for protestations and endearments. He could not act a lie. There was an embarrassing pause. April turned her face away from him. He said nothing, he did nothing. And then very distinctly, very slowly, like a child repeating a lesson:
“Did you have a good crossing?” The tension was broken; he began to talk quickly, eagerly, inconsequently--anything to prevent another such moment. And then Mrs. Curtis came back and the conversation was monopolized, till Roland reminded her that it was seven o’clock and that he would have to be getting back.
“Of course, of course. We mustn’t keep him, must we, April?”
Roland took his leave, but April did not, as was usual, follow him to the door. She remained huddled in the window-seat, and did not even turn her head in his direction. She was angry with him, and no doubt with good cause, he reflected; but Mrs. Curtis had gone so suddenly; he had been taken off his guard. Heavens! but what a home-coming!
He felt happier though next morning when he walked into the office of Marston & Marston. Everyone was pleased to see him back; the girls in the counting-house smiled at him. He was informed by the lift-boy that his cricket had been sadly missed during the latter half of the season, and Mr. Stevens literally leaped from his desk to shake him by the hand. It was ripping to see Gerald again, to come into his room and hear that quietly drawled: “Well, old son,” and resume, as he had left it, their old friendship.
“The governor’s awfully pleased with you,” said Gerald, “never seen the old boy so excited over anything before. He’s been talking about nothing else. He keeps on saying: ‘The fellow who can make fifty runs in half an hour can run a business.’ But I’m damned if I know how you did it. I’ve gone over there with carefully prepared introductions and had a chat with a few johnnies, but you seem to have gone pirating about, holding up Government officials and boosting into financiers’ offices. How’s it done?”