After some discussion about where they should lunch, they decided, at Pollyooly's suggestion, to go to the Café Grice in Soho, where the Esmeralda had been used to sup with the Honorable John Ruffin. She said that the French pastry there was delicious. There Ronald enjoyed another surprise. When they entered the proprietor and his staff leaped forward to a man to greet Pollyooly, their faces wreathed in smiles of welcome. The proprietor himself took Ronald's orders with a great air of deference; and Ronald found the attention very much to his liking.
They ate some poulet en casserole, and the rest was pastry and ices.
Ronald was surprised by the bill; but he said nothing till they came out. Then he said: "By Jove! That's an awfully good place for the money. I must go there when I'm lunching in town on my own. I shall be rather short, you know, when I've bought you a decent engagement ring."
"A ring? Oh, I shall like having it!" said Pollyooly, flushing, with shining eyes. "Wearing a ring will make me always remembering you."
"I expect that's what they're for," said Ronald.
