CHAPTER V

SUB ROSA

The next morning, Peter Dillon was lounging in Mrs. Wilson’s library, chatting with her on apparently easy terms.

“I think it is a special dispensation of Providence that sent the ‘Automobile Girls’ to Washington to visit Harriet Hamlin just at this particular time, Mrs. Wilson,” declared Peter Dillon.

Mrs. Wilson walked back and forth across her drawing room floor several times before she answered.  She looked older in the early morning light.  But her restlessness did not disturb Peter, who was reclining gracefully in a chair, smoking a cigarette.

“I am not sure you have reason to bless Providence, Peter Dillon,” Mrs. Wilson protested.  “What a man you are!  You simply cannot judge all girls by the same standard.  Some day you are going to meet a girl who is cleverer than you are.  And then, where will you be?”

“Oh, I’ll go slowly,” Peter argued.  “I know I am taking chances in making friends with the clever one.  But she has more nerve and courage than the others.  I am sure it will be much better to leave Harriet out of the whole business, if possible.”

“All right, Peter,” Mrs. Wilson agreed.  “Manage your own affairs, since this happens to be your own special joke.  But you had much better have left the whole matter to me.”

“And spoil my good time with five charming girls?” Peter protested, smiling.  “No, Mrs. Wilson; that is too much to ask of me.  If I can’t carry the thing off successfully, you will come to the rescue and help me.  You’ve promised that.  We have had our little jokes together before.  But this strikes me as being about the best of the whole lot.  We will have everybody in Washington laughing up his sleeve pretty soon.  There will be a few people who won’t laugh, but so long as we keep quiet we need not worry about them.  Has Elmer gone to work?  I know I have made you a dreadfully early visit.  It is very charming of you to be up in time to see me.”

“Don’t flatter me, Peter; it is not worth while,” Mrs. Wilson said angrily.  Then she smiled.  “Never mind, Peter; you can no more help flattering than you can help breathing, whether your reason is a good or a bad one.  I suppose it is because you are an Irishman.  By the way, Elmer admires one of these charming ‘Automobile Girls.’  He has talked of no one else except Mollie Thurston since Harriet’s tea.  Be careful what you say or do before him.”

“I shall be careful,” Peter returned easily.  “My attentions are directed toward the other sister.  How have you managed to keep that big boy of yours so much in the dark about—­oh, a number of things?” finished Peter.

“It is because Elmer has perfect faith in me, Peter,” Mrs. Wilson answered, passing her hand over her eyes to hide their expression.

“As all other men have had before him, my lady,” Peter avowed.  “Is it true that Mr. William Hamlin is now a worshiper at your shrine?”