The Keepers of the People

616She walked into the dining-hall; and Alrasch having shown his teeth, as a ticket admitting him, to the big man, followed her. She chose a table whence she could see the greatest number of people, bade Robert sit at one a little way off, and sitting down, looked through the menu in the deliberate fashion of a person of nice tastes. She chose salmon mayonnaise for herself, and then scanned Robert with thoughtful eyes: he seemed to her a healthy young man who should have a healthy appetite. She ordered a large steak and beer for him. As she ate her salmon, she amused herself by observing the people lunching round her; and they watched her with wondering eyes. She ordered a soufflé, and after it an ice; and after she had eaten them, sat for a while in a very pleasant indolence. When she had paid, and come out, Robert seemed to her unnecessary, a mere encumbrance; and she bade him go home with the books, giving him no answer to his natural question whither should he tell Lady Hammersmith she had gone. Then she went down Oxford Street alone, having learned from a policeman that it led to the Park. When she came into the Park she sent Alrasch swimming in the Serpentine; and later in the afternoon she watched the people in the Row, with Alrasch sleeping at her feet. Later she was strolling down towards Piccadilly to have tea, when she was recognised by some members of the Summer Club, and invited to have tea with them. They were all talking quickly about their common friends and enemies, people of whom she had heard; and tiring of it after a while she bade them goodbye, and came home.