Friday noon
`` He was a _ deus ex machina _ to me -- I quite jumped at him , I assure you ! '' `` You do n't have to assure me ! '' was the elder lady 's unspoken comment . She had been in a state of chronic irritation , ever since that Friday noon when Billy B. Hill 's tall figure had appeared in the hotel dining room . And hurrying Claire away from the conversation he was promptly evoking , she had encountered Arlee Beecher and the Evershams streaming with the other passengers from their boat to see the temple of Luxor , a wonderfully gay and excited Arlee , so radiant in the happiness of her own safe world again that she was bright gladness incarnate ... . Instantly Robert had reverted to his alarming infatuation ... and Lady Claire had most shamelessly welcomed the American . It was all unspeakably annoying ... .