"And I nearly punched Berry's head and spoiled it all."
"Berry's?"
I explained. When I had finished:
"It was nice of Jill to give you those flowers," she said. "Dear of
her. But I shall never forgive Berry."
"He's only human," said I. "And he really was awfully funny."
"I shall tell him what I think of him."
"We've all done that once a week for five years. My dear, he's quite
hopeless. Besides, he gave me a whole crown."
"And uncle gave you five. I saw him. I nearly cried, it made me so
angry."
"Six altogether," said I. "I bought you some carnations with them.
They're in the hood."
"Sweet of you, Norval. Coals of fire?"
"No, dear. Only malmaisons. Isn't that beautiful?"
We had climbed until we were at the top of a pass. Over the mountains
the sun was going down. The great valley was already in shadow, but
the light on the high woods was wonderful. Away on the top of a hill a
little white shrine stood up like a candlestick against the sky. A
rosy flush lay on the distant snow mountains, and the heavens
themselves were filled with a great red glory. The same thought
occurred to both of us.
"Who wouldn't be a day?" said I. "It's worth living only twelve hours
to die a death like that."
We reached Savavic about half-past seven. I drove straight to the
garage. She watched me put the car away and waited while I slipped
into my brogues. Then:
"Now I must be off to Poganec," said I. "So endeth the first day's
service."
"And the last."
I drew myself up.
"Am I dismissed, then?"
"Oh, well--"
"Of course, if you're not satisfied, madam--"
"But I am, only--"
"Then," said I, "I'll stop on. Good night, beautiful Doll."
"Dolly."
"Dolly, then."
I swept off my hat and turned to go.
"Don't you want to--er--shake me?" said Dolly.
I reached Poganec just as they were finishing dinner. As I entered the
room:
"Hullo," said Berry. "This your night out?"
"That'll do." said I. "You had your show this afternoon."
"My show? My humiliation," said my brother-in-law. "Think of it. My
wife's brother in service. How can I ever hold up this noble head
again? And this after all my years of striving to elevate. But there!
Can the leopard change his spots, or the chauffeur his boots? By the
way, how did you get into them? Rather a tight fit, wasn't it? You
don't look very penitent. I suppose you know I'm bowed with grief?"
"I see you're gorged with food," said I. "Haven't you any dinner for
me?"
"It's in a red handkerchief by the coach-house door," said Berry. "Now
you can go. I shan't want you any more to-night. Don't forget
the--ah--wrinkle I gave you about the cotton-waste."
"Fancy Boy earning some money!" said Daphne. "What wages d'you get?"
"Six-and-tenpence-farthing a week," said I, "and all found."
"That's a dangerous phrase," said Jonah. "Might mean anything."
"Exactly," said Berry. "It includes boots, we know. What else besides
boots?"
"Depends on the man," said I.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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