not altogether illuminating comment on this naive revelation of the
workings of the female mind. He spoke doggedly, and then hummed the
refrain of a song as though to keep up his courage.

"Well, I'll go and take my turn," he said, with the air of
aristocratic urbanity which made him a favorite in social circles.

Miss Golightly detained him to add: "If you find any better method, I
wish you'd let me know. It seemed the simplest way not to declare
anything, and to trust to luck."

So great was the bustle and confusion that George was not conscious of
the presence of his lively companion again until he heard her voice in
his ear two hours later on the pier or platform where the baggage from
the _Meteoric_ was being inspected.

"Well," she said under her breath, "I'm all through. They gave me a
jewel of a man. And you?"

"I've had no trouble." George spoke with nonchalance as if to imply
that he had expected none. Out of the corner of his eye he was
following the actions of the custom-house official allotted to him who
was chalking his examined trunks with the hieroglyphics which
signified that the Government had released its grip on them.

This done, George beckoned to an attendant porter, after which he
turned again to Miss Golightly.

"If you'll wait a moment until I see these things of mine safely in
the hands of the transfer express, I'll put you into your carriage and