“No, really?” said Ginger, gratified. “That's fine.” It occurred to him that some sort of apology would be a graceful act. “I say, you know, awfully sorry. About barging in here, I mean. Never dreamed it was your room. Unoccupied, I thought.”
“Don't mention it. I ought not to have disturbed you. You were having a nice sleep, of course. Do you always sleep on the floor?”
“Of course, if you're wearing it for ornament, as a sort of beauty-spot,” said Sally, “all right. But in case you don't know, you've a smut on your nose.”
“Now would I deceive you on an important point like that?”
“Do you mind if I have a look in the glass?”
Ginger moved hurriedly to the dressing-table.
“You're perfectly right,” he announced, applying his handkerchief.
“I thought I was. I'm very quick at noticing things.”
“You take my tip,” said Ginger, earnestly, “and never lie about under beds. There's nothing in it.”
“That reminds me. You won't be offended if I asked you something?”
“It's rather an impertinent question. You may resent it.”
“Well, then, what were you doing under my bed?”
“Yes. Under my bed. This. It's a bed, you know. Mine. My bed. You were under it. Why? Or putting it another way, why were you under my bed?”
“Playing hide-and-seek? That explains it.”
“Mrs. What's-her-name--Beecher--Meecher--was after me.”
“You mustn't encourage Mrs. Meecher in these childish pastimes. It unsettles her.”
Ginger passed an agitated hand over his forehead.
“I hate to keep criticizing your appearance,” said Sally, “and personally I like it; but, when you clutched your brow just then, you put about a pound of dust on it. Your hands are probably grubby.”
“Why not make a really good job of it and have a wash?”
“Thanks awfully. I mean to say it's your basin, you know, and all that. What I mean is, seem to be making myself pretty well at home.”
“Use mine. We Americans are famous for our hospitality.”
Splashing followed like a sea-lion taking a dip. “Now, then,” said Sally, “why were you hiding from Mrs. Meecher?”
A careworn, almost hunted look came into Ginger's face. “I say, you know, that woman is rather by way of being one of the lads, what! Scares me! Word was brought that she was on the prowl, so it seemed to me a judicious move to take cover till she sort of blew over. If she'd found me, she'd have made me take that dog of hers for a walk.”