Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/83

 he saw or encountered seemed to turn into the Rain-Girl, or from the Rain-Girl into something else. The camel from "Chu Chin Chow," which he had encountered in the streets, suddenly dissolved into the Rain-Girl. The next thing he knew was that he was endeavouring to ride the camel through the revolving doors of the Ritz-Carlton, with the hall-porter striving to bar the way, and a policeman trying to pull it out by the tail. Then in the Park it was the Rain-Girl who came up and asked for his penny and, instead of a ticket, she gave him a cup of coffee. Again, he was riding on an omnibus when he saw the Rain-Girl in a taxi beside him. Dropping over the side of the 'bus, he threw his arms round her, only to find that it was his Aunt Caroline, who was telling him not to be a fool.

Beresford awakened with a dazed feeling, conscious that something had happened, something disappointing; but unable to determine just what it was. Suddenly he remembered the incidents of the previous day, and his failure to find the Rain-Girl. Once more he was conscious of an acute feeling of depression; but after his bath, and as he proceeded to dress, the clouds again seemed to lift, and he became hopeful.

At breakfast, however, another disappointment awaited him. There was no sign of the Rain-Girl. He lingered over his meal as long as possible in the hope that she were breakfasting late. He became conscious even that the waiters were regarding him a