Page:ManInBrownSuit-Christie.pdf/133

124 So I did, now I come to think of it. On the night of the Fancy Dress ball. I even urged her to come. But I never thought she would! Delightful as she is, I do not know that I want Mrs. Blair's society all the way to Rhodesia and back. Women require such a lot of attention. And they are confoundedly in the way sometimes.

"Have I asked any one else?" I said nervously. One does these things in moments of expansion.

"Mrs. Blair seemed to think you had asked Colonel Race as well."

I groaned.

"I must have been very drunk if I asked Race. Very drunk indeed. Take my advice, Pagett, and let your black eye be a warning to you, don't go on the bust again."

"As you know, I am a teetotaller, Sir Eustace."

"Much wiser to take the pledge if you have a weakness that way. I haven't asked any one else, have I, Pagett?"

"Not that I know of, Sir Eustace."

I heaved a sigh of relief.

"There's Miss Beddingfeld," I said thoughtfully. "She wants to get to Rhodesia to dig up bones, I believe. I've a good mind to offer her a temporary job as a secretary. She can typewrite, I know, for she told me so."

To my surprise, Pagett opposed the idea vehemently. He does not like Anne Beddingfeld. Ever since the night of the black eye, he has displayed uncontrollable emotion whenever she is mentioned. Pagett is full of mysteries nowadays.

Just to annoy him, I shall ask the girl. As I said before, she has extremely nice legs.