I rescued it, and it is now safe in the porch.
. . . Oh, by the way, though you seem to have made acquaintance, let
me do the formal and introduce you to my wife. Santa, this is Doctor
Foe, an old fellow-traveller."
Foe gave him one glance, shrewd and steady, before looking aloft and
again raising his hat. The thrust did not penetrate Farrell's
defence.
"It's awkward," said Farrell, "that we can't even offer you a bed.
We're all packed up, ready to sail by the steamer to-morrow.
Mrs. Farrell and I in fact are shifting quarters. . . . Staying?"
"No," said Foe imperturbably. "I shall be sailing to-morrow, too.
. . . I just heard of this place, and thought I'd like to have a
look at it before going on. . . . Shouldn't think of troubling you."
"Curious, how small the world is," went on Farrell in a level voice.
"You won't mind my talking a bit in the old manner? . . . It sort of
puts us back at the old ease, eh? . . . Well then, we can't offer to
put you up. But if you don't mind a packing-case for a chair and
another for a table--eh, Santa?"
"We shall be charmed," said Santa.
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