Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/233

 "Good night," said Edward, "and thank you. I've had a splendid time."

"Have you?" said Mrs. Ruggles a little quizzically. "That's fine."

"Eddie and I are going to do the Louvre tomorrow," said Alice, "starting here at ten sharp."

"Are you?" said Mr. Ruggles and he looked even more quizzical. "Well, that's fine."

They finished saying good night. As the Ruggles family passed through the archway the magnificent old Swiss porter came out of his lodge and in stentorian tones called across the courtyard to the room clerk, "Monsieur et Madame Roog-ells et Mademoiselle Roogells qui rentrent!"

And Mr. Ruggles and Alice chuckled to themselves.

Edward, the tones of the Swiss porter echoing in his ears, hurried home. The evening, or Alice rather, had been a horrible disappointment. He had imagined that they would take up their friendship exactly where they had left off—that is, just short of being definitely engaged to be married, just short of being really in love. Instead they had met as strangers. Edward's heart ached and he could have cried. He had never had but the one real friend in all his life and she had turned cold.

Did all women fail one? Dear Mother, Ruth, Sarah, John's wife, Madame Beaulieu and now