The Craze of Christina — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Craze of Christina. 27 to see if I can be of any use to you. Ah! Mrs. Ommaney, you here? Why, you _ haven't brought Miss Maud! she, of course, might have done something for Mr. Clifford! and Mrs. Bruhen, too! who would have thought of seeing you here, of all people!”’ ‘“My motives are entirely disinterested ones, Miss Ashley!’ replied Mrs. Bruhen, darkly. ‘‘Won’t you be seated, ladies?’’ murmured Clifford, who was vaguely aware that there was thunder in the air, although he could not imag- ine why these ladies had come here to quarrel with each other, nor indeed had he the faintest idea why they had come atall. Nevertheless, he said politely that he was glad to see them, and thanked them very much for their visit. And secretly he wondered what on earth they wanted. He was soon to be enlightened. Mrs. Ommaney took the initiative. “So we understand that you have got to do up this dear old house, Mr. Clifford. What a dreadful responsibilty for a poor solitary bachelor!’’ and up went the dirty garden-gloves in a gesture of sympathy. “Qn the contrary,’’ cried Mrs. Bruhen, briskly, ‘‘it will be a most delightful and ab- sorbing occupation for Mr. Clifford.”’ Cconnicloolks.co