Dolly Dialogues [31]
"I could wish," I observed, taking my hat, "that it would all come back to me."
"I wonder if you mean that!"
"As much as I ever did," said I earnestly.
"And that is--?
"Quite enough."
"How tiresome you are!" she said, turning away with a smile.
Outside I met Archie in another suit.
"A quick change, eh, my boy?" said he.
"It took just a week," I remarked absently.
Archie stared.
A SLIGHT MISTAKE
"I don't ask you for more than a guinea," said Mrs. Hilary, with a parade of forbearance.
"It would be the same," I replied politely, "if you asked me for a thousand;" with which I handed her half-a-crown. She held it in her open hand, regarding it scornfully.
"Yes," I continued, taking a seat, "I feel that pecuniary gifts--"
"Half-a-crown!"
"Are you a poor substitute for personal service. May not I accompany you to the ceremony?"
"I dare say you spent as much as this on wine with your lunch!"
"I was in a mad mood today," I answered apologetically. "What are they taught at the school?"
"Above all, to be good girls," said Mrs. Hilary earnestly. "What are you sneering at, Mr. Carter?"
"Nothing," said I hastily, and I added with a sigh, "I suppose it's all right."
"I should like," said Mrs. Hilary meditatively, "if I had not other duties, to dedicate my life to the service of girls."
"I should think twice about that, if I were you," said I, shaking my head.
"By the way, Mr. Carter, I don't know if I've ever spoken unkindly of Lady Mickleham. I hope not."
"Hope," said I, "is not yet taxed."
"If I have, I'm very sorry. She's been most kind in undertaking to give away the prizes today. There must be some good in her."
"Oh, don't be hasty," I implored.
"I always wanted to think well of her."
"Ah! Now I never did."
"And Lord Mickleham is coming, too. He'll be most useful."
"That settles it," I exclaimed. "I may not be an earl, but I have a perfect right to be useful. I'll go too."
"I wonder if you'll behave properly," said Mrs. Hilary doubtfully.
I held out a half-sovereign, three half-crowns, and a shilling.
"Oh, well, you may come, since Hilary can't," said Mrs. Hilary.
"You mean he won't," I observed.
"He has always been prevented hitherto," said she, with dignity.
So I went, and it proved a most agreeable expedition. There were 200 girls in blue frocks and white aprons (the girl three from the end of the fifth row was decidedly pretty)--a nice lot of prize books--the Micklehams (Dolly in demure black), ourselves, and the matron. All went well. Dolly gave away the prizes; Mrs. Hilary and Archie made little speeches. Then the matron came to me. I was sitting modestly at the back of the platform, a little distance behind the others.
"Mr. Musgrave," said the matron to me, "we're so glad to see you here at last. Won't you say a few words?"
"It would be a privilege," I responded cordially, "but unhappily I have a sore throat."
The matron (who was a most respectable woman) said, "Dear, dear!" but did not press the point. Evidently, however, she liked me, for when we went to have a cup of tea, she got me in a corner and began to tell me all about the work. It was extremely interesting. Then the matron observed:
"And what an angel Mrs. Musgrave is!"
"Well, I should hardly call her that," said I, with a smile.
"Oh, you mustn't depreciate her--you, of all men!" cried the matron, with a somewhat ponderous archness. "Really I envy you her constant society."
"I assure you, " said I, "I see very little of her."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I only go to the house about once a fortnight--Oh, it's not my fault. She won't have me there oftener."
"What do you mean? I beg your pardon. Perhaps I've touched on a painful--?"
"Not at all, not at all," said I suavely. "It is very natural. I am neither young nor handsome, Mrs. Wiggins. I am not complaining."
The matron gazed at me.
"Only seeing her here," I pursued, "you have no idea of what she is at home. She has chosen to forbid me to come to