General opinion was it would go to Hamilton, sure. Well
I don't know how you pulled it off, but it was a smart
piece of work, sir."
Lorne encountered Mr Winter's frank smile with an expression
of crude and rather stolid discomfort. It had a base of
indignation, corrected by a concession to the common idea
that most events, with an issue pendent, were the result
of a smart piece of work: a kind of awkward shrug was in
it. He had no desire to be unpleasant to Walter Winter--on
the contrary. Nevertheless, an uncompromising line came
on each side of his mouth with his reply.
"As far as I know," he said, "the application was dismissed
on its demerits."
"Of course it was," said Mr Winter good-humouredly. "You
don't need to tell me that. Well, now, this looks like
dancing. Miss Filkin, I see, is going to oblige on the
piano. Now I wonder whether I'm going to get Miss Dora
to give me a waltz or not."
Chairs and table were in effect being pushed back, and
folding doors opened which disclosed another room prepared
for this relaxation. Miss Filkin began to oblige vigorously
on the piano, Miss Dora granted Mr Winter's request,
which he made with elaborate humour as an impudent old
bachelor whom "the boys" would presently take outside
and kill. Lorne watched him make it, envying him his
assurance; and Miss Milburn was aware that he watched
and aware that he envied.
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