Page:Bengal Dacoits and Tigers.pdf/91

 "Oh, very well," said Ethel, "I will come and read in your room till Charlie does come. I shall never marry a man who is always away on business." With these words she forsook her easy chair and accompanied her sister into the large bed-room. She threw herself on the side of the bed and went on with her book.

Alice undressed, got into bed and was soon asleep. Ethel finished her book and then lay waiting for her brother-in-law. The lights in the hall and on the landing were not extinguished, but the house was still and quiet. It was near twelve and AliceEthel [sic] was just wondering if Mr. C. would really arrive or if it would not be better for her to undress and get into bed comfortably when she heard gentle footsteps on the stairs.

"There's Charlie," she said to herself, "and how softly he is coming upstairs! he is a considerate husband."

She looked at her sister, saw that she was sleeping very soundly. "I will pretend to be asleep too," said Ethel to herself and she drew up the bed-clothes to hide her evening dress and put a pillow over her head.

To her disappointment, Charlie delayed his