to Sippy, who was swerving about the room like an exuberant snipe.
“Sippy—”
“Eh? What? Can’t stop, Bertie, can’t stop. Only looked in to tell you the news.
I’m taking Gwendolen to tea at the Carlton. I’m the happiest man in the world, Bertie. Engaged, you know. Betrothed. All washed up and signed on the dotted line.
Wedding, June the first, at eleven a.m. sharp, at St. Peter’s, Eaton Square. Presents should be delivered before the end of May.”
“But, Sippy! Come to roost for a second. How did this happen? I thought—”
“Well, it’s a long story. Much too long to tell you now. Ask Jeeves. He came along with me, and is waiting outside. But when I found her bending over me, weeping, I knew that a word from me was all that was needed. I took her little hand in mine and—”
“What do you mean, bending over you? Where?”
“In your sitting-room.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why was she bending over you?”
“Because I was on the floor, ass. Naturally a girl would bend over a fellow who was on the floor. Goodbye, Bertie. I must rush.”
He was out of the room before I knew he had started. I followed at a high rate of speed, but he was down the stairs before I reached the passage. I