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 THE MUSEUM OF FURNITURE

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‘ Are you a scientist ? ’ asked Liza. ‘ In a way,’ answered Hippolyte, who was learning Bender’s tricks. ‘ And may I ask how old you are ? ’ ‘ That has nothing to do with the science which I represent at this moment.’ ‘ But tell me, are you thirty ? Forty ? ’ ‘ Almost. I am thirty-eight.’ ‘ Oh ! you look much younger.’ Hippolyte felt gratified. ‘ When shall I have the pleasure of seeing you again ? ’ he asked. Liza was embarrassed, she began to fidget on her chair, and felt uncomfortable. ‘ Where’s Comrade Bender gone to ? ’ she asked. ‘ When ? ’ he repeated, ‘ when shall we meet again ? ’ ‘ Oh ! I don’t know. When you like.’ ‘ To-day ? ’ ‘ I implore you ! ’ ‘ Oh ! all right. Come and see us.’ ‘ No ! Let us meet outside. It’s such wonderful weather these days. Where can we meet ? ’ ‘ How funny you are ! Wherever you hke. Would you hke to meet me near the safe ? You know where I mean ? But not until it gets dark. Hippolyte just managed to kiss Liza s hand, when Bender came back. ‘ Excuse me,’ said Bender in a business-hke voice, and added rapidly ; ‘ We are very sorry, but my friend and I will not be able to see you home. We have some urgent business to attend to and we must go at once.’ Hippolyte was astonished. ‘ Good-bye,’ he said hastily to Liza. ‘ Good-bye. We’re in a terrible hurry.’ And the two men hurried out of the room, leaving Liza to recover from her surprise. ‘ If it hadn’t been for me,’ said Bender,' you wouldn’t
 * To-day ? ’