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Chapter 5
James’sexpensivefan,whichyouknockedoutofmyhand,andforwhichheneverevenapologised;butyousmokedallthewayhomewithouthavingthedecencytoaskmypermission.Thatisnotall!Attheendofthejourney,althoughhedidnotofferyouafarthingtowardshisshareofthecab,youaskedhimin.Fortunately,hewassoberenoughtodetect,frommymanner,thathiscompanywasnotdesirable.”
GoodnessknowsIfelthumiliatedenoughatthis;but,tomakemattersworse,Gowingenteredtheroom,withoutknocking,withtwohatsonhisheadandholdingthegarden-rakeinhishand,withCarrie’sfurtippet(whichhehadtakenoffthedownstairshall-peg)roundhisneck,andannouncedhimselfinaloud,coarsevoice:“HisRoyalHighness,theLordMayor!”HeMarchedtwiceroundtheroomlikeabuffoon,andfindingwetooknonotice,said:“Hulloh!what’sup?Lovers’quarrel,eh?”
Therewasasilenceforamoment,soIsaidquietly:“MydearGowing,I’mnotverywell,andnotquiteinthehumourforjoking;especiallywhenyouentertheroomwithoutknocking,anactwhichIfailtoseethefunof.”
Gowingsaid:“I’mverysorry,butIcalledformystick,whichIthoughtyouwouldhavesentround.”Ihandedhimhisstick,whichIrememberedIhadpaintedblackwiththeenamelpaint,thinkingtoimproveit.
