A Double Knot. George Manville Fenn
Daniel.
“And so, Rawlinson, you would heavily fine the companies?” said the doctor.
“Indeed I would,” was the reply. “Would you mind, Miss Stonor,” he continued insinuatingly, “half a ladleful more? Delicious soup. Thanks.”
Miss Stonor smiled, and the soup was placed before him, when, to the amazement of Huish, Mr. Rawlinson sent his chair back with a quick motion, deftly-lifted the soup-plate on to the Turkey carpet, and, as if it were a footpan, composedly placed the toes of his patent-leather shoes therein.
Miss Stonor did not move a muscle—she might have been a disciple of Daniel; while the doctor said quietly: “Head hot, Rawlinson?”
“Yes, very,” was the reply, as the eccentric guest smiled and nodded.
“I’d go and lie down for an hour,” said the doctor gently.
“Would you—would you?” said Mr. Rawlinson, smiling pleasantly. “Well, I will.”
“Come and join us presently if you feel better,” said the doctor.
“Certainly I will,” said Mr. Rawlinson. “Miss Stonor, you’ll excuse me?”
Miss Stonor bowed, and he turned upon Daniel.
“A napkin, Daniel,” he said rather severely. “I cannot leave the room with my shoes in this state.”
He lifted his feet from the soup-plate as he spoke, and sat with his legs at right angles to his body, while in the most matter-of-fact way Daniel stooped down, wiped the patent-leather shoes, and, sticking his thumbs into his armholes, Mr. Rawlinson calmly left the room.
“Suppose you ease off a little to the left, Roberts,” said the doctor, as the soup-plate was removed. “Rawlinson will not be back to dinner.”
“No,” said the captain, smiling. “Poor fellow!” he continued, turning to Huish; “you would not have thought he was a little wrong, I suppose?”
“Indeed I should not,” said Huish eagerly.
“No,” said the captain. “He looks as sane as I am; but he breaks out now and then, poor fellow!”
Just then Daniel was helping the guests to sherry, and Huish noticed that the captain’s glass was passed.
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