9: Dismissed
AT THE SOUND of Nicholas Churchill’s voice Gees sat up hastily on the bed. Something about a blanket— then he was fully awake.
“Chap wi’ a big black car, sir,” Nicholas told him. “By gum, t’
bed’s i’ a mess, too! Yeahp, a big black car, an’ he said he’d wait to see t’ gent what druv t’ car under t’ chestnut— tha left it oot i’ t’ rain, sir. Waitin’ outside he is, sir— what’ll I tell him?”
“Leave him to me,” Gees said. “I’ll go down.”
He went, and beckoned H. Jones to come into the porch, for it was raining more heavily than ever. The man got down from his driving seat and scuttled across to shelter.
“Thought I’d better settle up before goin’ home, sir,” he said.
“Naturally,” Gees observed rather dryly. “How much do I owe you.”
“I make it I owe you ten bob, sir, overpai
