Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/163

Rh "I quite feel with Bottiger. It grates on me—grates on me."

"Your sentiments do both of you infinite credit," I said dryly. "But if we went into society we should meet him in the best drawing-rooms, boring the select. He is much sought after, for he is still marriageable."

Bottiger received this statement of fact with one of his ingenuous growls, and said grimly: "Well, he won't be marriageable long."

Chelubai looked depressed and said: "Is that really so? Is he really sought after? Well, perhaps I have been too hard on him."

"Well, now, let us be practical," I said, and I told them of our exploration, assuring them that the church tower was useless on account of the height of the parapet, and the bad roads on account of the groom. Then I put before them my estimate of the value of the tower steps.

Their faces, which had fallen, brightened when I talked of them, and when I had done, Chelubai said: "I'll use the handkerchief! I'm better at it than you are, and Bottiger must keep out of this operation because he made the bet."

"Certainly, if you insist on it," I said. "I wouldn't rob you of the practice on any account."

"I know you think I'm bloodthirsty," said Chelubai, with an apologetic air. "But I'm not, really; but in business I learnt to like