Skinner was almost overcome with surprise and joy when he
saw Jimmy!"
Mrs. Pett could not check an incautious exclamation.
"Did Skinner recognise--?" she began; then stopped herself
abruptly.
Ann laughed.
"Did he recognise Jimmy? Of course! He was hardly likely to have
forgotten him, surely? It isn't much more than a week since he
was waiting on him in London."
"It was a very impressive meeting," said Jimmy. "Rather like the
reunion of Ulysses and the hound Argos, of which this bright-eyed
child here--" he patted Ogden on the head, a proceeding violently
resented by that youth--"has no doubt read in the course of his
researches into the Classics. I was Ulysses, Skinner enacted the
role of the exuberant dog."
Mrs. Pett was not sure whether she was relieved or disappointed
at this evidence that her suspicions had been without foundation.
On the whole, relief may be said to have preponderated.
"I have no doubt he was pleased to see you again. He must have
been very much astonished."
"He was!"
"You will be meeting another old friend in a minute or two," said
Mrs. Pett.
Jimmy had been sinking into a chair. This remark stopped him in
mid-descent.
"Another!"
Mrs. Pett glanced at the clock.
"Lord Wisbeach is coming to lunch."
"Lord Wisbeach!" cried Ann. "He doesn't know Jimmy."
"Eugenia informed me in London that he was one of your best
friends, James.
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