Wherein Bertie Dines and Is Acquainted with a Young Gentleman of Scottish Origin

[bertiewwooster]

Dinner was a quiet affair for me that evening.  Or at least it was until I met a young fellow by the name of Laurie (short for Lawrence) who proved to be as spiffing a dinner companion as a chap could ask for.  A Scottish bird, you see, with all the pipe-smoking ginger-hairedness one would expect of that breed.  And, let me tell you, the johnnie

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[bertiewwooster]

Over the past few days, I'd spent a great deal of time with Laurie MacGreavey, as one must, after all, have something to do when aboard a ship for a week. He was nothing short of a marvellous chap, let me tell you, though if he'd been a beazel, he would have been a back-slapper in the same way Honoria Glossop was. A bit overzealous at times, you understand. He was, as it turned out, a poet of some talent; not like my American chum, Rocky Todd. (Rocky is, of course, a peerless bird, but he needs to be told that living like a hermit does not a master poet make) Though hardly an intellectual of the Jeevesian calibre, spending time with Laurie was like a breath of fresh air to the man who's spent most of his life in a small side room with poor ventilation.

However, I was not without my worries. For while I'd been getting to know Mr. MacGreavey, Jeeves had been getting decidedly chummy with his man; Redding or Rebness or something. Now I know it makes me sound like one of those tyrannical employers who monitor their valet's behaviour every moment of the day, but I was not without my reasons! I'd seen this man, Redding; he was of a youngish variety, fair of hair and face, shorter than Jeeves, but in general, quite a fit bloke. Furthermore, in chance observations of the two of them in conversation, I had witnessed Jeeves smile. Not, mark you, a mere twitch or quirk of the lips, but a proper, real smile. I shudder even now to think of it.

I presume too much, I am sure, in even suggesting that Jeeves's own interests lie along the Greek end of things, but a chap can't help but worry, can he? It was on these thoughts that my grey matter was concentrated when the door clicked open and Jeeves entered. I startled a little in my seat and hastily returned my attentions to the book I'd been perusing. Even if I was jealous of the chap, it would never do to let him see as much.

[jr_ganymede]

Jeeves does indeed enter, with a swish and a click of the door. He tips his hat toward Mr. Wooster before removing it and setting it on its intended hook. He looks rather serene despite the pink about the face - the wind has been quite sharp on the decks, raising colour in the cheeks. (Never fear, though. His hair remains perfect.)

"Good afternoon, sir. I hope your luncheon was pleasing?" He starts in smoothly, taking the rumpled jacket on the bed and smoothing it out neatly before putting it on yet another hook by the door. The hat, which has found its way between the nightstand and the wall, is fished out and set with its matching jacket. It's all quite standard, really, so no reason why Bertram should be nervous.

[bertiewwooster]

'Oh!' I turned to Jeeves as he spoke, feigning surprise at his sudden entrance. 'What ho, Jeeves!'

I was about to answer his query when I was suddenly struck by the flush of his cheeks and the brightness of his eyes. My first reaction was nothing less than appreciation for the beauty that is a flushed Reginald Jeeves, but after barely a moment of (hopefully not) bald admiration, a little voice popped up in the back of my head.

How, this voice queried nastily, do you suppose Jeeves came by that fetching flush, mmm? Just conversing with Laurie's man? Seems a dashed sight unlikely to me.

I hastily bade the voice be on its way and trouble this Wooster not again, but when I did answer Jeeves, I could not keep the slight note of pettiness out of my voice.

'Oh marvellous,' I responded. 'Absolutely bally wonderful! Laurie is a fascinating conver-whatsit, don't you know. A dashed lot better than spending all my time with Oofy or Barmy, I daresay. And what about you, Jeeves? You're enjoying the company of Mr. Redding, then?'

[jr_ganymede]

If he's noticed the slight tone in Mr. Wooster's voice, he does not react to it. "As you say, sir, yes. Mr. Redding is an insightful and open-minded gentleman." Jeeves gives that a moment. "He brought with him a backgammon and chess board, and has cajoled me into quite a few rounds. I fear he is somewhat competitive."

Which was spurred on by the fact that Jeeves kept winning, but it wouldn't be prudent to mention such a thing.

[bertiewwooster]

Chess. Well, that was just spiffing, wasn't it? I swallowed my crossness, however, and gave Jeeves a smile. Perhaps a bit strained, but what of it?

'I never knew you played chess, Jeeves! Why, we shall have to play a game or two sometime, if I can drag you away from Laurie's man. I'm sure you shall wallop me soundly, of course, but I've been known to enjoy the game now and again.'

[jr_ganymede]

Jeeves, who had just picked up a duster, stops a minute, appearing to give it some thought. "If you like, sir, I could procure a board and set through loan for our stay on the ship. I regret to say that my personal chess set is in fact at home in London." His tone implies that this would be a welcome idea indeed. "I do hope, though, that you are also enjoying your time with Mr. MacGreavy?" Why spend time with your manservant, after all, when there is a friendly poet about.