The White Wolf and Other Fireside Tales by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
page 265 of 345 (76%)
page 265 of 345 (76%)
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pretend to be busy with his watch-making. I believe he did it to avoid
looking at me, and also because he knew I couldn't bear him with his face screwed up. It makes such a difference to his appearance." "Gently, gently, Miss Cox! You must not give us your mere suppositions. Now, did he never pay you a visit, or take you for a walk, say on Wednesdays? That would be early-closing day, I believe." "Never for the last three years, sir, after he became a Freemason. Wednesdays was lodge-night." "Well then, on Saturday, after shop hours?" "Yes, he used to come on Saturdays, till he was made a Forester. The Foresters meet every Saturday evening." "Mondays then, or Tuesdays? We haven't exhausted the week yet, Miss Cox." "No, sir. Mondays he was a Rechabite and went to tent. Tuesdays he would be an Ancient Druid--" "Gently! On Mondays, you say, he was a Rechabite and went to tent. What is a Rechabite? And what does he do in a tent?" _Plaintiff_ (dissolving in tears): "Ah, sir, if I only knew!" Here the Judge interposed. A Rechabite, he believed, went to a tent, or habitation, for the purpose (among others) of abstaining from alcoholic drinks. |
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