Page:In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories.djvu/198

186 "Lord pity them," said somebody who was sitting in the corner.

The gentleman paid no attention to the remark.

"Now what I wish to ask of you is that you will not make Mrs. Scrivener-Yapling's position any harder by futile endeavors to form the acquaintance of the young ladies."

At this point Stewart Montague broke out: "Who the devil are you, sir, and who gave you the right to interfere?"

"As to who I am," said the gentleman quietly, "my name is Kensington, and"

"West or South?" asked the man in the corner.

At this there was a titter of laughter.

"My name is Kensington," repeated the gentleman, "and I have been asked by Mrs. Scrivener-Yapling to interfere, which I do very reluctantly. As I said at the beginning, I hope you will not think my interference is impertinent. I only do so at the earnest request of the lady I have mentioned, because I am a family man myself, and I understand and sympathize with the lady in the responsibility which she has assumed."

"It seems to me," said the man in the corner, "that if the 'dragon' has assumed responsibilities, and they have not been thrust upon her, which I understand they have not, then she must take the