All that was left of her
were her shoes, bits of clothing, and the three medals for goodness."
"Were any of the little pigs killed?"
"No, they all escaped."
"The story began badly," said the smaller of the small girls, "but it had
a beautiful ending."
"It is the most beautiful story that I ever heard," said the bigger of
the small girls, with immense decision.
"It is the _only_ beautiful story I have ever heard," said Cyril.
A dissentient opinion came from the aunt.
"A most improper story to tell to young children! You have undermined
the effect of years of careful teaching."
"At any rate," said the bachelor, collecting his belongings preparatory
to leaving the carriage, "I kept them quiet for ten minutes, which was
more than you were able to do."
"Unhappy woman!" he observed to himself as he walked down the platform of
Templecombe station; "for the next six months or so those children will
assail her in public with demands for an improper story!"
A DEFENSIVE DIAMOND
Treddleford sat in an easeful arm-chair in front of a slumberous fire,
with a volume of verse in his hand and the comfortable consciousness that
outside the club windows the rain was dripping and pattering with
persistent purpose. A chill, wet October afternoon was merging into a
bleak, wet October evening, and the club smoking-room seemed warmer and
cosier by contrast. It was an afternoon on which to be wafted away from
one's climatic surroundings, and "The Golden journey to Samarkand"
promised to bear Treddleford well and bravely into other lands and under
other skies.
Pages:
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188