Page:The Plutocrat (1927).pdf/117

 Tinker returned to Mme. Momoro's chair for a moment, looking serious. "I guess I'll have to leave Mr. Ogle for a substitute, Mrs. Mummero; it seems I got an engagement. It's not goin' to last all afternoon, though!"

With this happy intimation he betook himself hastily and furtively from view, entering the nearest doorway that led from the deck, his questionable medical acquaintance attending him closely.

Mme. Momoro's grave eyes seemed to deepen in gravity during his departure; then she said amiably: "He appoints a substitute without consulting him. I think he must have perceived I am boring myself a great deal to-day."

Ogle, still dazed, murmured, "Ah—I hope not," and could find nothing more intelligent to say. He had begun to understand, however, that his horrified first impression of Tinker's action was mistaken, and that some previous contact had been established between Mme. Momoro and the outlander. Even that big barbarian of a Tinker could not merely walk up to such a woman and begin to talk to her.

"You must not stay because he appoints you," she said. "Perhaps you, too, have friends awaiting