It will be a great pleasure for us to have you at the
Tivoli in the mean time."
Seeing a warm second to this invitation in Mrs. Cortlandt's eyes,
Kirk accepted gracefully, explaining: "You know this is the first
time I was ever up against hard luck, and I don't know just how to
act."
"We've missed the four-thirty-five, so we will have to return the
way we came," said Cortlandt. "I'd like to stop at Gatun on a
business matter of some importance, and if you don't mind a half-
hour's delay, we'll do so."
Kirk expressed entire acquiescence in any plans that suited the
convenience of his rescuers, and the three pursued their way to
the station. But here an unexpected embarrassment arose. As they
made ready to board Colonel Jolson's motor-car, they were annoyed
to find that Allan insisted on going, too. He insisted, moreover,
in such extravagant fashion that Mrs. Cortlandt at last was moved
to say: "For Heaven's sake, let the poor thing come along." And
thereafter the Jamaican boy sat on the step of the machine, his
hat in hand, his eyes rolled worshipfully upon the person of his
hero, his shining face ever ready to break into a grin at a glance
from Kirk.
Once more the little automobile took on the dignity of a regular
train and sped out of the network of tracks behind Colon.
Pages:
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157