"Hollo, Waymark, is it you?" cried Mr. O'Gree, forgetting the
presence of the strangers in his astonishment. "Sure, and they told
us we'd find a _gentleman_ here."

"And I was the last person you would have thought of as answering
that description?"

"Well, no, I didn't mean that. I meant there was no mention of the
ladies."

Waymark flashed a question at Ida with his eyes, and understood her
assent in the smile and slight motion of the head.

"Then let me introduce you to the ladies."

The new-comers accordingly made the acquaintance of Miss Starr and
Miss Fisher (that was Sally's name), and took seats at the table, to
await the arrival of their dinners. Both were on their good
behaviour. Mr. O'Gree managed to place himself at Sally's left hand,
and led the conversation with the natural ease of an Irishman,
especially delighted if Sally herself seemed to appreciate his
efforts to be entertaining.

"Now, who'd have thought of the like of this." he exclaimed. "And we
came in here by the merest chance; sure, there's a fatality in these
things. We've walked all the way from Hammersmith."

"And we from Putney," said Waymark.