Page:The Plutocrat (1927).pdf/481

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the Romance languages; but Mr. Tinker kept talking to her in English just the same, laughing and pointing out houses among the ruins and telling her what fine young men lived in each one, asking her if such-and-such a one wouldn't be coming to call on her that evening. He was teasing her, and she understood that, although she didn't know a word he was saying. Well, she has a strong sense of the absurdities, so she must begin laughing too; and just as we came to the gateway of the Museum she laughed so heartily that she gave him a little slap upon the shoulder. Mrs. Tinker jumped out of her automobile like a young girl, and I think she must be very severe with her husband sometimes. She made him get in at once, and they drove away so quickly that they forgot their daughter, though the second automobile was still waiting, filled with their luggage; and the courier waited too. You see the young lady had something she wished to say to me. She said it before they came back for her, so this was how I knew you were acquainted with Mr. Tinker."

"What was it she said?"

"She was very pleased with my telling him he was a Roman and why I thought so, and she wished to ask a favour of me. She said that possibly a young