Page:Walpole--portrait of man with red hair.djvu/153

 He was looking at Harkness as though he were wondering why, exactly, he had done that.

"Are you still willing to come and see my few things?" Crispin asked. "It's only half-an-hour's drive and my car will bring you back."

"I shall be delighted to come," Harkness said quickly. "I would have been deeply disappointed if I had missed you. But you must not think of sending me back. I shall enjoy the walk greatly."

"Why, of course not!" said Crispin. "Walk back at that time of the night! I couldn't allow it for a moment."

"But I assure you," Harkness pressed, laughing, "I infinitely prefer it. You probably imagine that Americans never move a step unless they have a car to carry them. Not in my case. I won't come if I feel that during every minute that I am with you I am keeping your chauffeur up."

"Well, well—all right," said Crispin, laughing. "Have it your own way. You're a very obstinate fellow. Perhaps you will change your mind when the time really arrives."

They moved out to the doorway, then into the car.

Mrs. Crispin sat in one comer. Harkness was about to pull up the seat opposite, but Crispin said:

"No, no. Plenty of room on the back for three of us. Herrick doesn't mind the other seat. He's used to it."

They sat down. Harkness between the elder