Page:Man's Country (1923).pdf/248

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acrobatic stunts with true maternal admiration, but turned with a happy exclamation to her husband and welcomed him by bounding into his arms.

"Oh, George, George!" she confessed with a little cry in her voice. "These long, long days without you are such eternities of loneliness!" She said it affectionately, not complainingly.

For a time after this, though still with entwining arms, they bowed together over the antics of their restless and energetic but even-tempered son. Then, of course, the father had to have him in his arms and go parading round the room. This triumphant processional continued until Fay was reminded of the necessity for interrupting it.

"Break away now, father dear!" she warned. "We have just time to dress."

"What's on?" he demanded, lips pursing obstinately.

"Why, the Hickson dinner to Sir Brian."

When her husband's face did not lighten at this thrilling information, she reminded him: "But this is a farewell dinner to Sir Brian."

George's expression grew suddenly interested and thoughtful. "Oh well! If it's a farewell dinner," he began to concede, when Fay intervened in sprightly voice with:

"'Farewell'? Why the cattiness in that inflection? Don't you like Sir Brian?"