The introduction to Winifred accomplished, they leaped the weather and
spoke of the war. Soames interrupted suddenly:
"If he doesn't comply we can't bring proceedings for six months. I want
to get on with the matter, Bellby."
Mr. Bellby, who had the ghost of an Irish brogue, smiled at Winifred and
murmured: "The Law's delays, Mrs. Dartie."
"Six months!" repeated Soames; "it'll drive it up to June! We shan't
get the suit on till after the long vacation. We must put the screw on,
Bellby"--he would have all his work cut out to keep Winifred up to the
scratch.
"Mr. Dreamer will see you now, sir."
They filed in, Mr. Bellby going first, and Soames escorting Winifred
after an interval of one minute by his watch.
Dreamer Q.C., in a gown but divested of wig, was standing before the
fire, as if this conference were in the nature of a treat; he had the
leathery, rather oily complexion which goes with great learning,
a considerable nose with glasses perched on it, and little greyish
whiskers; he luxuriated in the perpetual cocking of one eye, and the
concealment of his lower with his upper lip, which gave a smothered turn
to his speech. He had a way, too, of coming suddenly round the corner on
the person he was talking to; this, with a disconcerting tone of
voice, and a habit of growling before he began to speak--had secured a
reputation second in Probate and Divorce to very few. Having listened,
eye cocked, to Mr. Bellby's breezy recapitulation of the facts, he
growled, and said:
"I know all that;" and coming round the corner at Winifred, smothered
the words:
"We want to get him back, don't we, Mrs. Dartie?"
Soames interposed sharply:
"My sister's position, of course, is intolerable."
Dreamer growled. "Exactly. Now, can we rely on the cabled refusal,
or must we wait till after Christmas to give him a chance to have
written--that's the point, isn't it?"
"The sooner...." Soames began.
"What do you say, Bellby?" said Dreamer, coming round his corner.
Mr. Bellby seemed to sniff the air like a hound.
"We won't be on till the middle of December. We've no need to give um
more rope than that."
"No," said Soames, "why should my sister be incommoded by his choosing
to go..."
"To Jericho!" said Dreamer, again coming round his corner; "quite so.
People oughtn't to go to Jericho, ought they, Mrs. Dartie?" And he
raised his gown into a sort of fantail. "I agree. We can go forward. Is
there anything more?"
"Nothing at present," said Soames meaningly; "I wanted you to see my
sister."