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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

some smart furniture, so she went to a sale and bought two upholstered chairs. ‘ A wonderful chance,’ she said to herself ; ‘ not to be missed.’ And without asking her husband she took the price out of the housekeeping money. She brought the chairs home triumphantly. Her husband was not at home, but he soon returned from the office. ‘ The black husband has come,’ said Ella. ‘ Hullo, darling ! What’s this ? Where have these chairs come from ? ’ ‘Hol Ho !’said Ella. ' No, seriously ? ’ ' Beauty ! ’ ‘ Yes, they are good chairs.’ ‘ Marvellous ! ’ ‘ Are they a present ? ’ ‘ What ? You surely haven’t bought them ? Not out of the housekeeping money ? Haven’t I told you a thousand times—'—’ ‘ You’re a fool! ’ ‘ But how can you do such things ? We’ll have nothing to eat! ’ ‘ Fancy that! ’ ' But it’s simply disgusting ! You’re hving beyond your means ! ’ ‘ You’re joking 1 ’ ‘ I tell you you’re living beyond your means I ’ ‘ Don’t teach me how to live ! ’ ‘ EUa, be serious. My salary is only two hundred roubles- ’ ‘ Darkness 1 ’ ‘ Look here. You know I don’t take bribes, and I don t steal money. I’m an honest man.’ ‘ Ter-r-rible ! ’ Her husband was silent. At last he said: 'We can’t go on hving hke this.’
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