“No, boy,” and Oliver is surprised at the effort with which Mr. Piper smiles. “Winthrop called up a few minutes ago about those Hungarian bonds but it wasn't anything important--” and again Oliver is very much surprised indeed, though he does not show it. “Is your mother here, Peter?” “Upstairs dressing, I think, Father.” Mr. Piper hesitates. “Well, you might tell her--it's nothing of consequence but I must go in to town for a few hours--I shall have them give me a sandwich or so now and catch the 7.03, I think.” “But look, Father, Oliver has to go in too, for dinner--he's taking the two-seater now. Why don't you let him take you too--that would save time--” “Perfectly delighted to, Mr. Piper, of course, and--” Mr. Piper looks full at Oliver--a little strangely, Oliver thinks. “That would be--” Mr. Piper begins, and then seems to change his mind for no apparent reason. “No, I think the train would be better, I do not wish to get in too early, though I thank you, Oliver,” he says with an old-fashioned bob of his head. “And now I must really--a little food perhaps”--and he escapes before either Oliver or Peter has time to argue the question. Oliver turns to Peter. “Look here, Pete, if I'm--” “You're not. Oh _I'd_ think it'd be a lot more sensible of Father to let you take him in, but you never can tell about Father. Something must be up, though, in spite of what he says--he's supposed to be on a vacation and I haven't seen him look the way he does tonight since some of the tight squeezes in the war.” XXXVI