Part 32 (1/2)
”No, I aie came back She was so rude to you yesterday I felt it terribly”
”Did you now? Well, that was very sensible of you We'll finish our tea before we begin our talk Co, eat your cake and drink your tea, and reeable to your Bo-peep”
Mrs Howland felt cheered She did enjoy her meal; and, if she liked it, Mr Martin liked it iirl that would be!” he said ”We could make her housekeeper at Laburnum Villa in no time She has a head on her shoulders”
Mrs Howland was silent She was dreading inexpressibly the little scene which she felt must be endured between her and her intended
”We'll ring the bell now,” said Martin, wiping a few cru his trousers with his pocket-handkerchief ”We'll get Tildy to re you for a drive to the Park?”
”Oh, I should like that!” said Mrs Howland in surprise,
”Thought so Never say that Bo-peep isn't thoughtful--Ah, here you be, Tildy You clear away--sirl, and then whistle for a 'ansom Do you hear me? A 'ansoirl, and I'll give you sixpence”
”Thank you, sir,” said Tildy She looked with ad eyes at the pair ere so close to the matrimonial venture, and quickly reo into your rooet dressed for your drive”
Mrs Howland did so She put on an elegant sort of bonnet-hat which had been presented to her by Martin, a lace fichu over her shoulders, and a pair of long white gloves She had also been presented with a white parasol by Martin He thought that no one could look more beautiful than his ladylove when she reappeared in the drawing-rooo now and start on our drive”
Mrs Howland rose, and Tildy agreed with Martin as to Mrs Howland's appearance when she stepped into that hansom Tildy said she looked bride-like Mrs Ross reant women before now had become s in no time Tildy shuddered, and said that Mrs Ross should not say things of that sort Mrs Ross replied that she invariably spoke the truth, and then returned to her dismal kitchen
Meanwhile Martin and Mrs Howland were driven swiftly in the direction of Hyde Park London society people were fast going out of town, for it was very nearly the end of July; but still there were a few carriages about, and soaily dressed ladies and several s men Martin provided a couple of chairs for himself and his future wife, and they sat for soay scene
”It is wonderful,” said Martin, ”what a sight of ”
”But they enjoy it, don't they?” said Mrs Howland
”Yes, my pet,” he replied, ”but not as you and , can you attend to business?”
”I have a very weak head for business, Bo-peep,” was the reply
”Don't I know it, my pet; and I am the last person on earth to allow you to be worried; but I tell you what it is, Victory, if your head is weak as regards ood brain in that direction Now, I have a notion inwith her,” said Mrs Howland; ”she is quite iht she would treat you as she did I could hen I think of it I shouldn't be surprised if, on account of her rudeness and ingratitude, we broke off the engagement I shouldn't really, James”
”What do you take irl I want to marry! it's you”
”Oh dear!” said Mrs Howland; ”of course, I know”
”She ain't a patch on you, Little-sing--that is, I ards looks But now, don't you fret If you have been turning things over in your s over in my mind, and the suht after all”
”Right after all! But dear, dear Ja!”
”Who said she was to live on nothing?” said Martin ”Don't tre; it'sin Now, I've no e my shop-people--not one of thehter, brought up altogether, I will say, above her station, is beyondover in er will do her no sort of harly