At the other end of this hall was a room very brightly lighted; the
portiere was pushed almost entirely aside, and we could see some young
fellows seated round a table. Nearly all had cigars or cigarettes in
their mouths,--Phil, too; the room was just thick with smoke, and they
were playing cards.
"Sit where they can't see you," Fee whispered to me; "and if you find
Phil will go home with me, just slide out without letting him know of
your being here. Oh, Jack, if I can _only_ succeed!" He gave my hand a
little squeeze--though it was a warm evening, his fingers were cold--and
then walked up the hall and stood in the doorway of Chad's room.
"Hullo! _you!_ Oh--aw--come in--aw--glad to see you! Take a chair," Chad
said, in a tone of voice that told he was taken all aback; while Phil
was so startled that he dropped his cigarette and called out roughly,
"What the mischief are _you_ doing here?"
Of course they all looked at Felix; but he answered carelessly, "Oh, I
thought I'd accept a long-standing invitation,"--with a little bow
toward Chad,--"and drop in for a while."
"Oh, certainly, certainly--aw--glad to see you!" exclaimed Chad.
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