"Will you be pleased to tek your dinner with the leddies again
to-night?" asked Mrs. Carré, as she gave Graeme his breakfast next
morning.
"I would be delighted," he said doubtfully. "But are you quite sure
they would wish it, Mrs. Carré."
"But you did get on all right with them," she said, eyeing him
wonderingly. "They are very nice leddies, I am sure."
"Oh, we got on first rate. We didn't quarrel over the food or fall out
in any way. But----"
"Well then?"
"Will it be any easier for you?" he asked thoughtfully.
"Well, of course, it will be once setting instead of twice, and that
iss easier----"
"Then suppose you put it to them on that ground, Mrs. Carré, solely on
that ground, you understand. And if they are agreeable, I--well, I
shall not raise any objections."
And so, presently, Mrs. Carré said to the ladies, "You did get on all
right with the gentleman last night, yes?"
"Oh, quite, Mrs. Carré," sparkled Miss Penny.
"I wass wondering if it would please you to dine all at once together
again each night. You see, it would save me the trouble of setting
twice. I did ask him and he said he didn't mind if you didn't. He iss
a very nice quiet gentleman, I am sure."
"I'm sure it's very good of him," said Miss Penny. "By all means serve
us all at once together, Mrs. Carré. I guess we can stand it if he
can."
"That iss all right then," said Mrs. Carré, and the common evening
meal became an institution--to Graeme's vast enjoyment.