If he replies by
return we shall hear the day after to-morrow."
"That is such a long time to wait. Do you know what to-morrow is?"
"Wednesday," said Austin.
"It's Dick's birthday." She clapped her hands at a happy inspiration,
and hung on his arm. "Oh, Austin! If we could only give him the
appointment as a birthday present!"
Her touch, her fresh charm, the eagerness in her eyes roused him to
unwonted enthusiasm. In his sane moments he did not care a fig for
anybody's birthday. What man ever does? He proclaimed the splendour of
her idea. But how was it to be realised?
"Send a long prepaid telegram to Lord Overton, of course," said Viviette
triumphantly. (How unresourceful are men!) "Then we can get an
answer to-day."
"You forget the nearest telegraph office is at Witherby, seven miles
off."
"But Dick and I are going for a drive. I'll make him go to Witherby and
I'll send the telegram. Write it."
She drew him in her caressing way to the table, seated him in the chair,
and laid the block of telegram forms before him.
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