ally Fanny made it impossible for Virginia to hold out
any longer by declaring flatly that her whole future--hers and
Jimmies--was at stake. So Virginia surrendered with as good grace as
she could pretend--hoping inwardly that Mr. Stafford looked upon it
only as an informal affair and would be neither dressed himself nor
expect them to be.

Jimmie handed his coat and hat to the butler with as important an air
as he was able to assume, and, speaking for the ladies, who until now
had stood motionless in the background, said loftily:

"Tell Mr. Stafford the people he was expecting have come."

Oku salaamed profoundly, but did not budge.

"Excuse! But Mr. Stafford--he is not here," he said.

Jimmie looked blankly at the girls. With a grin at Virginia he
snickered:

"I told you being late was the proper thing."

Virginia turned to the butler. Anxiously she said:

"Isn't there some mistake?"

Oku shook his head, and throwing open the door of the salon, motioned
to them to enter.

"Excuse, please, but there is no mistake," he grinned. "Mr. Stafford
he say to me over telephone he is very sorry, but there is big meeting
and he not get away. He be here in half an hour."

The girls looked at each other in dismay. Jimmie made a grimace.

"Half an hour! Jumping Jupiter!" he exclaimed.

"He say he is very sorry," went on Oku apologetically, "but will hurry
quick as can. He say for you to wait till he come and he tell me to
say many time, 'Excuse, please! Excuse!'"

Virginia smiled. With quiet dignity she said:

"Very well--we understand--we will wait."

Oku put out his hand for their hats and coats.

"Give me hats, please--excuse, please."

While the girls divested themselves of their outer garments the little
butler chatted on in his quaint pigeon English:

"Mr. Stafford--he say to ask if you will have cocktail."

Jimmie had carelessly strolled over to a table and picked up a book.
On hearing the invitation to liquid refreshments he closed the volume
with a bang and turned round like a flash:

"I will," he exclaimed quickly.

A ludicrous expression of renewed interest suddenly replaced the
shipping clerk's rather disgusted expression. Anything was welcome
which promised to relieve the monotony of this society stunt, as he
had termed Mr. Stafford's invitation. It was against his will that he
had come at all. Why should he do this millionaire the honor of dining
with him? What was he to him? Because he was