The Brother of Daphne | Page 6

seems to be a sort of understanding that we should keep them in
missionaries. So every now and then the 'worker' push here get up a fete thing and take
money off people. Then they find one and send him out. Well, there's one of these stunts
on this afternoon, and I've been let in to do something. That's why I look so pale and
interesting. The last day or two I've been desperate about it. But now..."
"Now what?"
"If you'd let me help you to-day, we could take the show to the fete and simply rake it in.
It's a splendid way of winning your bet, too. Oh, booth, isn't it obvious that you've been
sent?"
"It certainly would be nicer than giving performances about the village," she said
musingly. "If only I knew you- "
"You don't know the fellow who isn't getting the milk," I objected.

"That's different. He'd be only a servant."
"I would be the same."
There was a pause. A rabbit loped into the road and blinked curiously at the booth. Then
he saw me and beat a hasty retreat.
"It is in a good cause," I urged. "You don't know the Bananas; they're absurdly- er
-straight."
"It's all very well for you," she said; "you know everybody here. But it would be an
impossible position for me; I don't know a soul. Now, if we were both strangers- "
"Well?"
"Well, then they wouldn't worry as to who we were and what we had to do with one
another."
"Then let's both be strangers."
"How can you be strange to order?"
" Hush!" I said. "I will disguise me. At home I have put away a Pierrot dress not one of
them knows anything about, and I think I can raise a mask. If I- "
A stifled exclamation from the booth made me look up. Framed in its mouth, her arms
folded and resting on the ledge, was the girl. What I could see of her was dressed as a
Pierrot. Her hair was concealed under a black silk cap, and the familiar white felt conical
hat sat jauntily over one ear. A straight, white nose, and a delicate chin, red lips parted
and smiling a little, such a smile as goes always with eyebrows just raised, very alluring-
so much only I saw. For the rest, a strip of black velvet made an irritating mask.
I made her a low bow.
"I can see this is going to be a big thing," I said, " Won't you come down?"
"I haven't even said I'll take you,"
"Please."
"You're sure to be recognized, and then, what about me?"
"Oh, no, I shan't. If necessary, I'll wear a false nose. I've got one somewhere."
"Here's my milk."
I looked round and beheld a small boy approaching with a jug.
"Was that the best you could do in the native line?"

"You needn't sneer. I'm not over-confident about my second venture."
"Well, a knave's better than a fool, any day."
"I'm sure I hope so."
She slipped down out of sight into the booth again, to reappear a moment later in the road:
and by her side a beautiful white bull-terrier, a Toby ruff about his sturdy neck.
"Good man," said my lady, pointing a finger at me. "Good man."
The dog came forward, wagging his tail. I stooped and spoke with him. Then I turned to
his mistress. She had discarded her white hat and drawn on a long dust-coat, which
reached almost to her ankles. She held it close about her, as she walked. It showed off her
slim figure to great advantage. Below, the wide edges of white duck trousers just
appeared above shining insteps and high heeled shoes.
When the urchin had come up, she took the jug from him with both hands.
"I shall have to drink out of it," she said, raising it to her lips with a smile.
"Of course. Why not? Only ..."
I hesitated.
"What?"
"Hadn't you better- I mean, won't the mask get in your way?"
She lowered the jug and looked at me. "No; it won't get in the way. Thanks all the same,"
she said steadily. "Not all to-day."
"It's in the way now."
"Not my way."
I saw her eyes watching my face as she drank, and when she took the jug from her lips
she was smiling.
We had some difficulty in persuading the boy to leave us; but at length, a heavy bribe,
coupled with the assurance that we should be at the fete in the afternoon, had the desired
effect, and he went slowly away.
Thereafter we took counsel together.
As a result, it was decided that we should fold the booth -it shut up like a screen- and