"Good!" said Jack. "Let's have dinner together, and we'll arrange
everything. It will have to be some out of the way place because I
have to take precautions against being followed. Say Pezzi's on West
Thirty-Fourth. I'll meet you there at seven."
36
Bobo and the lovely Miriam arrived at the Madagascar next morning.
Miriam promptly sallied forth to Miss Staley's to pick a maid, giving
Jack and Bobo an opportunity to have a long talk undisturbed. When
Bobo learned that Jack's new plans included unlimited funds for himself
for the time being, he hastened to agree to everything. Jack rehearsed
him carefully in the part he was to play. The principal danger was
that Bobo in his enthusiasm might overdo it.
"For Heaven's sake don't look so smug and expectant," said Jack, "or
she'll smell a rat before we begin!"
Bobo, it should be mentioned, knew nothing of the part Kate was to
play. Bobo had never seen Kate.
Miriam returned successful from her quest, and so far as such a great
lady might deign to her slaves, almost good-tempered.
"Yes, I found a girl," she said languidly. "Quite a superior creature.
Her name is Mary Dean. She has worked for Mrs. Walter Delamare and
Mrs. Willis Estabrook. She'll be here with her things in time to dress
me for dinner."
Mary Dean was the name chosen by Kate. "So far so good," thought Jack.
The three of them lunched together in the Dutch room of their suite.
Bobo as the meal progressed, became visibly nervous, and scarcely did
justice to the timbales of chicken and asparagus tips. Jack watching
him, and fearful that Miriam might notice something, gave him the sign
to open the comedy, though he had intended to wait until after the meal.
"I want some more money," said Bobo.
"Huh!" said Miriam scornfully. "One would think it was his money you
were asking for."
This put Bobo out a little; Jack hastened to give him the next cue.
"But I've been sending you a thousand a week."
"What's a thousand a week!" said Miriam. "Our bill at the Rodney Farms
was half of that."
"Why didn't you buy the place?" queried Jack sarcastically.
"Is that for you to say?" demanded Miriam.
"I've got to have more!" shouted Bobo--according to previous
instructions.
"A thousand was all you said you wanted."
"That was before I married. I need more now."
"Yes, and a whole lot more!" put in Miriam.
This was just what Jack wanted from her. He sought to irritate her
still further by addressing himself pointedly to Bobo. "You said it
was part of my job to save you from your own extravagance."
"You needn't remind me of that now," said Bobo. "The money's mine,
isn't it?"
"You put the management of it in my hands."
"Did he engage you as his nurse?" suggested Miriam.
"You said I was not to give you any more no matter how hard you begged
for it," said Jack affecting a stubborn air.
"Oh, for Heaven's sake! This is ridiculous!" cried Miriam. "Are you
compelled to go down on your knees to beg your own money?"