She discarded the fruitless effort at
cajolery and resorted to undisguised bribery.
"If you'll have him here for these six days I'll cancel that
outstanding bridge account."
It was only for forty-nine shillings, but Lady Bastable loved
shillings with a great, strong love. To lose money at bridge and
not to have to pay it was one of those rare experiences which gave
the card-table a glamour in her eyes which it could never
otherwise have possessed. Mrs. Sangrail was almost equally
devoted to her card winnings, but the prospect of conveniently
warehousing her offspring for six days, and incidentally saving
his railway fare to the north, reconciled her to the sacrifice;
when Clovis made a belated appearance at the breakfast-table the
bargain had been struck.
"Just think," said Mrs. Sangrail sleepily; Lady Bastable has very
kindly asked you to stay on here while I go to the MacGregors'."
Clovis said suitable things in a highly unsuitable manner, and
proceeded to make punitive expeditions among the breakfast dishes
with a scowl on his face that would have driven the purr out of a
peace conference. The arrangement that had been concluded behind
his back was doubly distasteful to him.
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