Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/234

 "Certainly," said Lola, with decision. "He should try and win what he wants, work for it."

"Do you see that little waiter over there?" asked Drewitt, indicating a curious little man with bulging eyes and a receding chin.

Lola nodded.

"Suppose he were to fall violently in love with you, Miss Craven," he continued. "Suppose that you became absolutely necessary to him, and inspired his every thought and action. He saw you in every soup-plate, you got mixed up with the fish, flavoured the entrée, crept into the roast. Suppose he were prepared to become a Napoleon of waiters for your sake. What"

"Oh! but that is so absurd," she laughed.

"But just now you said that a man must try and win what he wants."

"Oh, but I didn't mean" she paused. "When you make a statement," smiled Drewitt, "you must always be prepared to have it carried to its logical conclusion. The waiter is the logical conclusion of your statement, that all have a right to aspire to any and everything."

"But we have rather wandered away from suicide," suggested Beresford.

"On the contrary we are now approaching it," continued Drewitt. "The little waiter spends every moment that is not occupied in collecting tips in showing his devotion to you, and endeavouring to obtain the object of his desires, your hand, Miss