Even Rocco may be someone else in addition to Rocco.'
'That makes it all the more interesting,' remarked Theodore
Racksole.
'What a long time you have been, Father,' said Nella, when he
returned to table No. 17 in the salle manger.
'Only twenty minutes, my dove.'
'But you said two seconds. There is a difference.'
'Well, you see, I had to wait for the steak to cook.'
'Did you have much trouble in getting my birthday treat?'
'No trouble. But it didn't come quite as cheap as you said.'
'What do you mean, Father?'
'Only that I've bought the entire hotel. But don't split.'
'Father, you always were a delicious parent. Shall you give me the
hotel for a birthday present?'
'No. I shall run it - as an amusement. By the way, who is that chair
for?'
He noticed that a third cover had been laid at the table.
'That is for a friend of mine who came in about five minutes ago.
Of course I told him he must share our steak. He'll be here in a
moment.'
'May I respectfully inquire his name?'
'Dimmock - Christian name Reginald; profession, English
companion to Prince Aribert of Posen. I met him when I was in St
Petersburg with cousin Hetty last fall. Oh; here he is. Mr
Dimmock, this is my dear father. He has succeeded with the steak.'
Theodore Racksole found himself confronted by a very young
man, with deep black eyes, and a fresh, boyish expression.
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