You
see, I never knew that they were shoved down on their bench every
time, just as I was, and of course when I got back to where I was
I'd just skipped one of them each time! Yes, sir! I had made that
proposal in THREE sections--a part to each girl, winding up with
the mother! No explanation was possible, and I left Simla next
day. Naturally, it wasn't a thing they could talk about, either!"
"Then you think Mrs. Awksby had nothing to do with it?" I said.
"Nothing--absolutely nothing. By the way, if you see that lady,
you might tell her that I have possession of that brocade easy-
chair which used to stand in the corner of her boudoir. You
remember it,--faded white and yellow, with one of the casters off
and a little frayed at the back, but rather soft-spoken and
amiable? But of course you don't understand THAT. I bought it
after she moved into her new bungalow."
"But why should I tell her that?" I asked in wonder.
"Nothing--except that I find it very amusing with its reminiscences
of the company she used to entertain, and her confidences
generally. Good-by--take care of the lion in the hall. He always
couches on the left for a spring. Ta-ta!"
I hurried away. When I returned to Simla I told Mrs. Awksby of my
discoveries, and spoke of the armchair.
I fancied she colored slightly, but quickly recovered.
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