Page 82 - English Class 07
P. 82

His promenade     carried him out of earshot at the critical moment when he was about to

             disclose the elusive identity. The Lady who? Jerton could scarcely run after a total stranger,
             break  into  his  conversation,  and  ask  him  for  information  concerning  a  chance  passer-by.
             Besides,  it  was  desirable  that  he  should  keep  up  the  appearance  of  looking  after  the
             luggage. In a minute or two, however, the important personage, the man who knew, came

             strolling back alone. Jerton summoned up all his courage and waylaid            him.


                                                             promenade : a public place for walking beside the sea
                                                             waylaid : to stop on the way


                                                                                    “I  think  I  heard  you  say  you
                                                                                knew  the  lady  who  went  out  of
                                                                                the  hotel  a  few  minutes  ago,  a
                                                                                tall  lady,  dressed  in  grey.  Excuse
                                                                                me for asking if you could tell me

                                                                                her  name;  I’ve  been  talking  to
                                                                                her  for  half  an  hour;  she  –  er  –
                                                                                she  knows  all  my  people  and

                                                                                seems to know me, so I suppose
                                                                                I’ve met her somewhere before,
                                                                                but I’m blest if I can put a name
                                                                                to her. Could you?”

                                                                                  “Certainly. She’s a Mrs Stroope.”

                                                                                     “Mrs?”  queried  Jerton.  “Yes,
                                                                                she’s  the  Lady  Champion  at  golf
                                                                                in my part of the world. An awful
                                                                                good sort and goes about a good

                                                                                deal  in  society,  but  she  has  an
                                                                                awkward  habit  of  losing  her
                                                                                memory  every  now  and  then,

                                                                                and  gets  into  all  sorts  of  fixes.
                                                                                She’s  furious,  too,  if  you  make
                                                                                any  allusion  to  it  afterwards.
                                                                                Good day, Sir.”

                                                                                     The  stranger  passed  on  his
                                                                                way and before Jerton had time

                                                                                 to assimilate his information, he



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