Маленькая хозяйка большого дома / The Little Lady Of The Big House

He held on tightly and began to laugh, and Paula laughed with him.

“You frightened me when you touched me,” she said. “You came without a sound, and I was a thousand miles away, dreaming …”

“What?” Graham asked.

“Well, honestly, I had just got an idea for a gown. And the only jewellery, a ring—one enormous ruby that Dick gave me years ago when we sailed together.”

“Is there anything you don’t do?” he laughed.

She joined with him.

“Who told you about the pipe?” she next asked.

“No one. I just understood.”

“It was Dick’s idea. You will find him full of whimsies. He liked to scare old ladies into fits by stepping off into the pool with their sons or grandsons and hiding away in here.”

“Well?—going to stay there all night?” Bert’s voice came down the pipe.

“It’s time to go back,” Paula suggested. “It’s not the coziest place in the world. Shall I go first?”

“By all means—and I’ll be right behind.”

“Somebody told you,” was Bert’s prompt accusal, when Graham rose to the surface of the pool and climbed out.

“And you were the scoundrel who rapped stone under water,” Graham said. “It was a crooked game[56 - a crooked game – нечестная игра], a conspiracy, and a felony. It’s a case for the district attorney.”

“But you won,” Ernestine cried.

“I certainly did, and, therefore, I shall not prosecute you, nor any one of your crooked gang—if the bets are paid promptly.

“One cigar, sir!”

“A box! A box!”

9

Dick had started a gambling game. It went on at a big table at the far end of the room, accompanied by much owing and borrowing of small sums.

With nine players, the game was crowded, and Graham, with a profound sigh at the loss of his last bet—a nickel—announced that he was going to take a turn around the room to change his luck. He wanted to see Paula.

At this point, Ernestine told Graham:

“We’re all waiting for you.

Paula had left for bed at ten o’clock. Dick said good night to Graham and continued on with his pretty sister-in-law toward her quarters.

“Just a tip, Ernestine,” he said at parting, his voice was serious to warn her.

“What have I done?” she pouted laughingly.

“Nothing … as of yet.