I read in a
Sunday paper about her monkey. She has just taken a house near
here. I don't see who else the animal could belong to. Monkeys are
rarities on Long Island.'
Bill was silent. 'Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose,
flushing his brow.' For days he had been trying to find an excuse
for calling on Lady Wetherby as a first step toward meeting Claire
again. Here it was. There would be no need to interfere with
Elizabeth's plans. He would be vague. He would say he had just
seen the runaway, but would not add where. He would create an
atmosphere of helpful sympathy. Perhaps, later on, Elizabeth would
let him take the monkey back.
'What are you thinking about?' asked Elizabeth.
'Oh, nothing,' said Bill.
'Perhaps we had better stow away our visitor for the night.'
'Yes.'
Elizabeth got up.
'Poor, dear Nutty may be coming back at any moment now,' she said.
But poor, dear Nutty did not return for a full two hours. When he
did he was dusty and tired, but almost cheerful.
'I didn't see the brute once all the time I was out,' he told
Elizabeth. 'Not once!'
Elizabeth kissed him fondly and offered to heat water for a bath;
but Nutty said he would take it cold. From now on, he vowed,
nothing but cold baths. He conveyed the impression of being a
blend of repentant sinner and hardy Norseman.
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