Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/158

 146

DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

all she could summon up was : ‘ Are you taking a taxi ? Beautiful! ’ Her husband raced downstairs.

At ten o’clock in the morning Bender turned into Varsonofiev Street, and the urchin who was running ahead of him pointed out the house. ‘ Sure you’re not lying ? ’ ‘ Of course not. Here you are ; it’s this one ! ’ Bender gave the lad his honestly earned rouble, and knocked at the door without knowing what excuse he could give for calling. He relied on inspiration when dealing with women. ‘ Oho ! ’ came from behind the door. ' On business,’ said Bender. The door opened and Bender walked into a room, where he found Ella sitting in a dressing-gown trimmed with fur. He knew what to do on such occasions, so he stepped back and exclaimed : ' What a wonderful fur ! ’ ‘ You’re joking,’ said Ella shyly. He started to talk about furs, and without giving her a chance to speak he went on to tell her all he knew about silk, and wound up by promising his dehghtful hostess a present of a few hundred silk cocoons from Uzbekistan. ‘ You’re a fine lad ! ’ said Ella. ‘ No doubt you are surprised at receiving such an early visitor ? ’ said Bender. ‘ Ho ! Ho ! ’ answered EUa. ‘ But I have come to see you about a dehcate business matter.’ ‘ You’re joking ! ’ The conversation went on in this strain for some time until Bender realized that the second chair was not in the room. He would have to be tactful and discover the trail, but very gradually he found out what had happened between Ella and her husband.