Page:Mr. Wu (IA mrwumilnlouisejo00milniala).pdf/229

 Wu Li Chang, a correcter estimate of the whole complicated situation than any one else. Bradley and Holman came next in prescience, but neither of them suspected, much less knew of, the particular slant the diabolism of Wu's vengeance had taken, or of the appointment he had made with Basil's mother.

Tom Carruthers was "no end" sorry, and sincerely so. But he could not quite help getting a certain enjoyment out of it all. He was built that way—and he was only twenty-four—and he had come to China to have an occasional nibble at the spice of things, almost as much as he had come to master the details of a business to which his father had assigned him not too sanguinely. The bankruptcy that positively seemed to threaten the great firm could not even embarrass him. His father was a very rich man (as mere British wealth went), and he himself an only child. Mr. Gregory's wealth had not in the least added to Hilda's charm in Tom Carruthers' eyes.

But the depression at the office was growing tormenting, and so was the heat, and Robert Gregory's nervous irritability was a bit trying, so when Hilda announced her determination to "go home" Tom resigned the affairs of the business cheerfully enough and picked up his hat.

Hilda saw that she could do nothing for her father by "hanging round." And "hanging round" was an occupation she particularly disliked. And when she learned that her mother had slipped off with Ah Wong without a word, she said, "How shabby!" and prepared to follow suit.

Robert Gregory scarcely noticed his wife's defalcation—and certainly did not resent it. The business turmoil did not lesson with the lessening day; it in