’Well,’ said Philip, ’that is the king of the birds, is it? To my mind a bumptious, ill-conditioned, dissatisfied, and uninteresting fowl.’
Then he moved in front of the marmot cage. ’And these are marmots, that spend more than half their life in sleep. Very like Lambert Sidebottom or Pennycomequick, as he is pleased to call himself now.’
He looked at the eagle again. ’Pshaw! Pluck him of his self-consciousness as Aquila—and what is he? What is he?’
Then he wandered away among the flower-beds and bushes of syringa without a purpose, grumbling to himself at the manners of those Labartes, and the figures that Lambert and Janet made, laughing over inane jokes, and regretting that he had allowed Salome to go in search of the Chicago lady.
Salome in the meantime had hastened to her friend’s room, the number of which she knew, and found her packing her portmanteau and dress-boxes. The room was strewn with dresses.
’But,’ exclaimed Salome on entering, ’what is the meaning of this? Miss Durham! You are surely not going to leave?’
’Certainly I am,’ answered the American lady. ’I have been insulted here, and shall leave the place for one where there are better manners.’
’Oh, don’t go. My husband did not mean to offend you. I do not know what he said, but I am quite sure he would do nothing ungentlemanly, unkind. He has had a long journey, and this and other matters had just put him in a condition of nervous excitement. If you wish it he will explain, but surely you will take my word that no impertinence was intended.’
’But,’ pleaded Salome, ’my husband will unsay it. I entreat you forget and forgive.’
’Not forgive? Oh, Miss Durham, half the sweetness and happiness of life is made up of forgiveness.’
’Tastes differ,’ said the American, and stooped to her work again.
Salome went to her and arrested her hands. ’I will not, I cannot allow you to go. I should ever feel an ache in my heart to think that you had gone away without reconciliation.’ Half laughing, half crying, she added: ’I thought that if it could possibly be that you and my husband should meet, you would become close friends—but I never supposed he would come out here to me—I mean I did not think he could leave his business. And now that he is here, instead of making friends with you, a quarrel is picked and you are almost enemies.’