"Don't be an idiot, Monty," he snapped. "That is, more of an idiot
than you can help. Don't mind him, Gertrude; he has an amazing idea of
repartee, that's all."
Serena volunteered a remark concerning the weather just then. She
observed that it might be raining, it had looked that way before dinner.
Mr. Holway possibly considered that a hint was involved; at any rate,
he rose and announced that he must be going. Gertrude begged him not
to hurry, they had all enjoyed his call so much, she said. Cousin Percy
suddenly declared that he would accompany his friend on his way, a walk
would do him good. Monty expressed no enthusiasm at the prospect of
company, but the pair left the house together.
After they had gone, Daniel turned to his wife.
"Humph!" he observed, "what sort of talk do you call that? I thought
those two were chums; and yet I didn't know but they was goin' to fight
one spell. It's a good thing you hove in that about the rain when you
did, Serena."
Serena was grave. "Gertie," she inquired, "did you ask that young man to
call here?"
Gertrude was the picture of surprised innocence.
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