skin, and pulled his moustache, trying to talk,
when his mother interrupted him by exclaiming, and asking questions
which she never gave him a chance to answer. And while he talked to his
mother, attempting to brazen it out, he looked at Miss Randolph, but she
kept her head turned away.

As for poor Mr. Payne, I was sorry for him. He had meant so well, and
worked so hard for everybody's good, and now it had come to nothing. He
did his best to make himself right with his American friend, saying,
"Mr. Randolph, at all events, this man has insulted your daughter,
travelling around Europe with her under false pretences. What do you
intend to do about it?"

But the big man answered, in a slow, drawling way, as if he were just
ready to laugh, "Well, I guess I won't do much. Mr. Winston and I met
here accidentally, and talked to each other awhile before either of us
knew who the other was; and when we did know, why, he was able to give
me a pretty satisfactory explanation. I guess there's nothing much
that's wrong; and I hope Mr. Winston will introduce me to his mother."

Aren't Americans queer? I will say, though, that the girl didn't seem
inclined to take things so calmly. Her cheeks were scarlet, and her eyes
looked about twice too big for her face with anger or something like it.

Pa and I were rather out of the "durbah," for like the bat in the fable,
we were neither bird nor beast, and had to stand aside while the fight
between the two kinds of creatures went on. By-and-by Mr. Payne joined
us, poor fellow, and I did what I could to console him, telling him that
was always the way in this world, with the well-meaning, unselfish
people. He was awfully grateful for my kindness, and when he heard that
Pa and I had just that very minute been talking things over and deciding
we'd had enough of being abroad, he asked if we'd mind his travelling
with us as far as England, where he might stop for a few weeks, and
drive about in his motor-car. Of course, I said we wouldn't mind; so I
_may_ bring him to the dance at Kensington Town Hall; if he isn't too
big a swell for that set.

Of course, Sir Evelyn Haines soon found us out, and was very kind; but
Mr. Payne would go, and I've hardly seen anything of Lady B. since,
though it's now after dinner. I suppose the Honourable Jack is by way of
being in love with Miss Randolph, or else he wants her dollars, which is
most likely, considering the foxy way he seems to have gone about th