So far from hurrying over his luncheon, he
seemed inclined to prolong it.
There was no lack of conversation between him and his companion. They even
lingered over their coffee and they were still at the table when Eve and I
had finished and Mrs. Bundercombe was sipping the hot water, the only
thing that passed her lips during the entire meal. I paid the bill and
rose. Mrs. Bundercombe, after a moment's hesitation, followed us.
"Eve and I thought of going into the Academy for a few minutes," I said
tentatively as we reached the entrance hall.
Mrs. Bundercombe plumped herself down on a high-backed chair within a yard
of the door.
"I," she announced, "shall wait here for Joseph!"
I realized the futility of any attempt to dissuade her; so we left her
there, spent an hour at the Academy and did a little shopping. On our way
back an idea occurred to me. We reentered the restaurant. Mrs. Bundercombe
was still sitting there in a corner of the hall.
"Thinks he can tire me out, perhaps!" she remarked in an explanatory
manner. "Well, he just can't--that's all!"
I moved a few steps farther in and glanced down the restaurant. Then I
returned.
"But, my dear Mrs. Bundercombe," I said, "your husband has gone long ago!
He went out the other way.
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