Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/269



IKE the summer sun, Lord Drewitt retired late; but as a corrective rose later. He preferred to give the weather an opportunity of definitely establishing itself for the day. In his opinion none but a demagogue could take pride in early-rising in town or city.

"There are only two reasons why a man should rise early in London," he had once remarked, "breakfast and exercise. I take neither."

It was nearly twelve o'clock on the morning following Beresford's endeavour to determine his own destiny, that certain movements of the bed-clothes and murmurs from the pillow warned Hoskins that his master was reluctantly preparing to face another day. He became alert and watchful.

After fully five minutes of muttering and movement, Lord Drewitt raised himself upon his elbow and looked about him.

Hoskins took a step forward.

"Hoskins, I believe you do it on purpose." He dropped back wearily upon his pillow.

"Do what, my lord?" enquired Hoskins in a voice so thin as to be almost a falsetto. 265