Page:Watts Mumford--Whitewash.djvu/24

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WHITEWASH

toria wisely concealed her impatience till the illustrious wants should be ministered to.

"We engaged our rooms weeks ago, so we're all right, you know," she said, "and they'll treat us better if we don't fluster them in handling their grandees. Suppose we sit out here at one of the little tables till the coast is clear."

Settling themselves, they eagerly watched the crowd that wove its brilliant patterns before them.

"Jolly, isn't it?" Shorty commented. "We are the only rank outsiders. Evidently the great American tourist hasn't found this out yet."

"Give them time—they will—sooner or later," Miss Bently announced, sadly; "to-morrow there will be more—that man over—there, for instance; he's an Englishman, I'll wager a franc."

"Done," and Victoria held out her hand. "No Englishman would be so fearfully and wonderfully British."

"I don't see how we're to find out," said Shorty, wistfully.

"He's going into the hotel,—we'll ask the

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