Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/312

302 very different. I went out far a brisk walk round the park after lunch, and when I came back to the club I learned that both Chelubai and Bottiger had been looking for me, and I was reminded that I should have to find for them some reason for Angel's absence. I should not like to say that I avoided them, but it fell out that it was not till the third morning that Chelubai found me at home. After a decent amount of desultory talk about the General Philanthropic and Quorley Granite Companies, talk in which I took a snappish and cantankerous part, he asked me, with a timidity which looked very odd in him, where my sister was.

"She's gone away for a change. The spring in town is trying to growing children," I said, keeping as near as I could to the truth.

He sighed and said, "Will she be back soon?"

"I don't know, and I don't think that she has made up her mind."

"Where is she?" he said diffidently.

"I don't know where she is to-day, or where she will be to-morrow. She's on the move," I said, still hugging the truth.

"Where will a parcel find her? I've found some new chocolates, made by a new Italian, and they're quite wonderful. I want to send her a box."

"Then I shan't tell you where she is," I said firmly, seizing the chance. "For one thing, I will