Full of scorn Frank watched this noisy group. Lizzie remained talking with them for some little time, and she did not return until he called to her twice for a cigar.
“How very impatient you are,” she said, handing him the box.
“You were talking to me, and you go away to talk to those cads.”
“I must serve the customers, you naughty man. You can't have me all to yourself. I believe you would like to.”
“That I should. I wish you would come out with me. I wish you would come to dinner.”
“And what would the lady say who you went to the theatre with to-night, and were so mad because some one spoke to her?”
“I assure you she is nothing to me, a mere acquaintance. I was angry because I thought it a piece of impertinence of the fellow to come intruding his conversation when it wasn't wanted; but as for the woman I don't care a snap for her; never did, I assure you: she is nothing to me. I suppose you don't get out much here.”
“We are off duty for so many hours every day; but we must be in at a certain time.”
“I wish you would come with me; I would take you up the river. You know the river?”
“You mean to say you have never been up the river, not even so far as Twickenham?”
“Well, then, you have a treat. The most beautiful thing in England is the Thames--perhaps in the world. Last year I spent nearly three months at Marlow and Maidenhead--we positively lived in a boat. I have a beautiful boat. I should like to take you out--you would enjoy it. Are you fond of boating?”
“I love it. I haven't been in a boat since I left Wales.”
“So you are a Welsh girl. My boat is now at Reading. If you could get away early in the morning we might manage to catch the nine o'clock express that takes us down in a little over the hour. I'd have the hamper packed, and we would have our lunch up in Pangbourne Woods. It would be so jolly. I wish you would come.”
“I should like it immensely; I don't know if I could manage it.”
Lizzie stood hesitating, her finger on her lip. A girl entered the bar and whispered something to her as she passed.
“I can't say yet; I shall see you again.”
As Frank turned to go he caught sight of Harding and Fletcher. He did not see that they had been watching him, and when they called him he went over to their table.