Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/300

 274  "These," said Mr. Downing, taking the book from the man, who had walked in at the open door, "are samples of inexpensive wall papers. You're to choose as much as you need of the kinds you like best and this man will put it wherever it will do the most good, and I'll pay the bill. Now, Miss Blue Eyes, do I stand a better chance of forgiveness?"

"Yes, yes!" cried Mabel. "I'm almost glad you needed to apologise. You did it beautifully, too. Mercy! when I apologise—and I have to do a fearful lot of apologising—I don't begin to do it so nicely."

"Perhaps," offered Mr. Downing, "when you've had as much practice as I have, it will come easier. I see, however, that you are far more suitable tenants than the Milligans would have been, for my humble apologies to them met with a very different reception. I assure you, if there's ever any rivalry between you again, that my vote goes with you—you're so easily satisfied. Now