Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/196

184 toward the man he had served so long, and who had given him some kicks, but a good many ha'pence, too, made him say hesitatingly:

"Wot 's troublin' me, sir, is how is you goin' to be hattended to when you're hill; and how is you to get shaved, sir?"

"As to my attendance when I am ill, that is a trifle; and shaving will be unnecessary, as I have intended for some time past to turn out a full beard," promptly responded Mr. Romaine. "Now you may go. When you are ready to leave come to me and I will give you a check."

The idea of Mr. Romaine in a full beard drove Bridge immediately into the pantry, where he confided the news to Dodson, and they both haw-hawed in company.

Nevertheless, the loss of his man, who knew some secrets about his health, was a very serious one to Mr. Romaine. Also, he had never shaved or dressed himself in his life, and to him immaculateness of attire was a necessity. He turned the ridiculous and embarrassing question over in his mind—how was he to get shaved?—until it nearly drove him to asking Bridge to reconsider his decision. But