Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/129

 (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'