As the Missus looked at him through her Tears and held his Salary-Hook
in hers, little did she suspect that he had framed up a Poker Festival
for that Night and already the Wet Goods were spread out on the Ice.
He had told her that he was going to sit up in the Library every
Evening and read Macaulay's History of England. By opening the Windows
on both sides he could get a nice Breeze from the West. Along about 10
o'clock, if he got Sleepy, he could turn in. Why not?
It was a lovely Time-Table that he had mapped out. He submitted it to
Pet before she went away and she put her O.K. on it, even though her
Heart ached for him. Breakfast at the strange Boarding-House. A day of
Toil interrupted by a small Bunch of Food at the Dairy Lunch.
Then back to the unfamiliar Faces at the Boarding-House.
Then sitting alone in the Gloaming, thinking of the Absent One.
Then an Hour or two in the Library with the jovial Macaulay.
Then to Bed in the lonesome House and Dreams of Sweetie.
[Illustration: _Calling Up the Pirate Crew._]
He gave her a Schedule which she could consult at any time, Day or
Night, and thereby find out what he was doing at that Moment. It was
just as convenient as sending a Marconi every Hour or so.
He held himself down until the Train had flirted around the Curve, for
he knew that she was watching him from the Observation Car. Then he
threw his Hat in the Air and began to do Flip-Flops.
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