Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/227



OU'RE just in time to prevent Hoskins from undermining my taste in dress," said Drewitt, who, garbed in a wonderful silk dressing-gown of an eccentric pattern of black and white, was lolling back in a chair. Beresford had arranged to pick him up on his way to keep the luncheon engagement with Lola.

Hoskins smiled with a deprecating air that plainly said, "You know his lordship's little way, sir!"

"He wants me to wear this tie," holding out a black poplin tie with white spots, "with these trousers," indicating the trousers he was wearing, black with thin white perpendicular lines.

"Well, why not?" enquired Beresford.

"There are some men," said Drewitt, looking reproachfully at Beresford, "so supremely oblivious of their social obligations as to be capable of wearing spotted trousers with a striped tie. You see, Hoskins," he continued, turning to his man, "I'm to meet Mr. Deacon Quelch, who is psychic. Now it's impossible to tell what might be the effect of a sartorial indiscretion upon a highly psychic mentality. You follow me?" 223