Part 57 (2/2)

It was a re unde, Edward Henry was in reality defending hiainst the accusations of his wife--accusations which, by the way, she had never uttered, but which he thought he read soht of course have told his wife these agreeable details directly, and in private But he was a husband, and, like many husbands, apt to be indirect

Nellie said not a word

”Then you're giving up London?” The doctor rose to depart

”I a

”Why?”

”Well,” the genius answered ”Those theatrical things are altogether too exciting and risky! And they're such queer people--Great Scott!

I've coht side, as it happens, but--well, I' as I was I've done with London The Five Towns are good enough for me”

Nellie, unable to restrain a note of triuacity that in a wife drives husbands to fury and to foolishness:

”I should think so indeed!”

Edward Henry leaped from his chair, and the swansdown quilt swathed his slippered feet

”Nell,” he exploded, clenching his hand ”If you say that once o and take a flat in London to-hter Nellie snored the doctor's entrance, glanced round with creased brows

”Sit down, dearest,” Nellie quietly enjoined the invalid

But he would not sit down, and, to show his independence, he helped his wife to escort Stirling into the lobby

Robert, now alone with the ignored young clerk tapping at the table, turned towards him, and in his deliberate, judicial, disdainful, childish voice said to him:

”Isn't father a funny man?”