The Girl in Blue Read online

  3

  Two persons of opposite sexes cannot sit embracing in a car in a public place like the driveway of Mellingham Hall for long without being seen, and Barney and Chippendale, returning from the Goose and Gander, got a good view of Jane and Jerry some minutes later. They were just in time, for as they entered the gate the car drove off.

  ‘Going to be married, those two, wouldn’t you think.?’ said Chippendale, and Barney replied that if they weren’t, they certainly ought to be, adding that they appeared to have got off to a good start.

  ‘Mr West and his girl friend,’ said Chippendale. ‘Nice fellow, Mr West.’

  ‘Couldn’t be nicer.’

  ‘I’d have liked to stay on here and see more of him.’

  ‘You’re leaving us?’

  ‘Tomorrow,’ said Chippendale. He heaved a sigh. That’s the worst of being a broker’s man. You didn’t know I was one, did you?’

  ‘Yes, Mr Scrope told me. Drawback to being a broker’s man, you were saying?’

  ‘What I had in mind was, you come to a house, get all comfortable, make nice friends, and then all of a sudden you have to leave. You might call me a bird of passage.’

  ‘A bird of some kind, certainly.’

  ‘Sort of sad.’

  ‘But think how glad everybody will be to see you go.

  ‘Something in that,’ said Chippendale, brightening.

  ‘Always try to put yourself in the other fellow’s place. You’re one of those guys who can make a party just by leaving it. It’s a great gift.’

  ‘I see what you mean.’

  ‘You remember that old song, Spread a little happiness. Let’s sing it, shall we?’

  ‘Okay. I don’t recall the words too well. I’ll have to go tum-tum-tum a bit.’

  ‘Tum-tum-tum to your heart’s content. It’s the spirit that matters. Ready?’

  ‘I’m ready.’

  ‘Then let’s get down to it.’

  They got down to it.

  THE END