Stafford the people he was expecting have come."
Oku salaamed profoundly, but did not budge.
"Excuse! But Mr. Stafford--he is not here," he said.
Jimmie looked blankly at the girls. With a grin at Virginia he
snickered:
"I told you being late was the proper thing."
Virginia turned to the butler. Anxiously she said:
"Isn't there some mistake?"
Oku shook his head, and throwing open the door of the salon, motioned
to them to enter.
"Excuse, please, but there is no mistake," he grinned. "Mr. Stafford
he say to me over telephone he is very sorry, but there is big meeting
and he not get away. He be here in half an hour."
The girls looked at each other in dismay. Jimmie made a grimace.
"Half an hour! Jumping Jupiter!" he exclaimed.
"He say he is very sorry," went on Oku apologetically, "but will hurry
quick as can. He say for you to wait till he come and he tell me to
say many time, 'Excuse, please! Excuse!'"
Virginia smiled. With quiet dignity she said:
"Very well--we understand--we will wait."
Oku put out his hand for their hats and coats.
"Give me hats, please--excuse, please."
While the girls divested themselves of their outer garments the little
butler chatted on in his quaint pigeon English:
"Mr. Stafford--he say to ask if you will have cocktail."
Jimmie had carelessly strolled over to a table and picked up a book.
On hearing the invitation to liquid refreshments he closed the volume
with a bang and turned round like a flash:
"I will," he exclaimed quickly.
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