Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/267

Rh went well with this new prosperity. They sailed. On the other side there were some aristocratic-appearing men who paced the dock. When the clerk and his host landed these men came up with bows and words of welcome. For the first time the youth realised what an important person his benefactor was. But the men paid an incomprehensible attention to his insignificant self. They were solicitous about his health. They apologised for the poor comforts he would find in this town, The best available had been prepared for him. He had a vague idea that all this was really meant for the other man.

At the first opportunity he asked who these people were.

"’They talked to me so strangely, as if I was a lord or something.'

“’You be nice to them, my boy,' his host said. "Treat 'em well. Let 'em give you anything they want, and you act as if that was what you were raised to. They're friends of mine, and I'd hate to have 'em offended. If you think they're crazy, keep it to yourself and give 'em their way.'

"There was a private suite at the hotel, a solitary dinner, more grandeur than the clerk had ever imagined existed outside the covers of a novel.

"The next morning a servant appeared, an-