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Updated: June 23, 2025
O my, O my, what an amusing mess!" However, he knew what Portlaw didn't know, that Virginia would never accept that invitation, and that neither Wayward nor Constance Palliser would remain one day under the roof that harboured the sister of Louis Malcourt.
To this aggravation of elaborate structures Portlaw, in a spasm of modesty, had given the name of "Camp Chickadee"; and now he wanted to stultify the remainder of his domain with concrete terraces, bridges, lodges, and Gothic towers in various and pleasing stages of ruin.
"Come on," said Hamil briefly, and followed her. Malcourt took to the water leisurely, going out of his way to jeer at and splash Portlaw, who was labouring like a grampus inshore; then he circled within observation distance of several pretty girls, displayed his qualities as a swimmer for their benefit, and finally struck out shoreward. When he emerged from the surf he looked about for Shiela.
Malcourt said quietly: "You've never before given such a reason for discontinuing card-playing. What's your real reason?" Portlaw was silent. "Did you quit a thousand to the bad, Billy?" "Yes, I did." "Then why not get it back?" "I don't care to play," said Portlaw shortly. The eyes of the two men met. "Are you, by any chance, afraid of our fox-faced guest?" asked Malcourt suavely.
Malcourt continued to roll his cigarette, but after a while he spoiled it and began to construct another. "Are you, Louis?" "What?" "Coming back here soon?" "If I if it's the thing to do. I don't know yet. You mustn't press the matter now." "You think there's a chance that you won't come back at all!" exclaimed Portlaw, aghast. Malcourt's cigarette fell to pieces in his fingers.
"Well, wise men, chiefs, and sachems, here's more hair on your scalp-locks, and a fat buck to every bow!" Malcourt picked up his glass. "Choh" he said maliciously; but Portlaw did not understand the irony in the Seminole salutation of The Black Drink; and the impudent toast was swallowed without suspicion.
It had been easy and rather amusing to arrange; it saved wordy and endless disputes with Portlaw; it would give him a longed-for release from an occupation he had come to hate. Malcourt was tired.
For heaven's sake, Portlaw, you're becoming chuckle-headed with all your feeding and inertia and pampered self-indulgence. You're the limit! with your thirty-eight-inch girth and your twin chins and baby wrists! You know, it's pitiable when I think what a clean-cut, decent-looking, decently set-up fellow you were only two years ago! it's enough to make a cat sick!"
Personally she and Portlaw had been rather fond of one another; and to avoid trouble incident on hot temper Alida Ascott decamped, intending to cool off in the Palm Beach surf and think it over; but she met Portlaw at Palm Beach that winter, and Portlaw dodged the olive branch and neglected her so selfishly that she determined then and there upon his punishment, now long overdue.
Portlaw pays me more than I'm worth as a Harvard post-graduate. And if that is an asset it's my only one." Hamil, surprised at his bitterness, looked at him with troubled eyes. Then his eyes wandered to Shiela, who had now taken up her embroidery. "I can't help it," said Malcourt impatiently; "I like cities and people. I always liked people. I never had enough of people.
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